Don't underestimate Hepatitis B infection

Dr Douglas Street, Contributor

Hepatitis B is a fairly well-known infection, but unfortunately, it not given much thought outside of medical circles. It doesn't generate the level of interest that other infections such as HIV do. There are some interesting facts about hepatitis B, though, that may surprise you.

Hepatitis B is caused by a virus (Hepatitis B virus - HBV), which selectively attacks the liver, causing it to become inflamed. This inflammation may resolve spontaneously, rapidly damaging the liver leading to the death of the infected person, or it may develop into a progressive inflammation, which continues for the rest of the infected person's life.

Hepatitis B is estimated to be present in about 0.5 per cent of Jamaicans, and it kills about 30 Jamaicans per year. By comparison, HIV is present in about 1.5 per cent and killed 333 Jamaicans in 2010.

Hepatitis B is present in body fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and saliva of an infected person. It is 50-100 times more infectious than HIV and can be transmitted sexually, by blood transfusion, infected tattoo/acupuncture needles, during childbirth, through shared personal items (such as toothbrushes, razors and nail clippers), and direct contact with infected blood. Working in health care, being on dialysis, living in an institution, unprotected sex with multiple partners, and anal sex increases the risk of HBV infection. However, it is unlikely to be spread by kissing, handshaking, sharing utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, coughing, or sneezing.

Hepatitis B may cause flu-like symptoms (body aches, fever, loss of appetite and tiredness), nausea, vomiting, yellow eyes, dark urine, and pain in the right upper abdomen. In some people, the infection is so severe that it leads to liver failure and even death. In others, it is so mild that there are no symptoms. Some persons develop chronic hepatitis, which causes progressive damage to the liver and can lead to liver cirrhosis and even liver cancer. Blood tests can detect it.

There is no curative treatment for Hepatitis B, but fortunately, 95 per cent of persons spontaneously clear the virus from their bodies if they contract it as an adult or older child. However, only five per cent of newborns and 70 per cent of one- to six-year-olds who contract HBV will clear the infection. There are available treatments that will reduce the multiplication of the virus and limit liver damage.

Apart from taking lifestyle precautions, there is a vaccine available which protects against it, which is now being given routinely in infancy.

Dr Douglas Street is a general practitioner and has private practices at Trinity Medical Centre, Trinity Mall at 3 Barnett Street in Montego Bay, and Omega Medical Centre at Plaza de Negril, Negril. Send feedback to drdougstreet@yahoo.com.