Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B (Hep B) is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and is spread through contact with the blood and body fluids of an infected person. Most people will recover without medical attention but for those who do not, it can lead to liver disease.

Once known as serum hepatitis for which it is spread, the virus has caused epidemics in parts of Asia and Africa, and is endemic (spreading from person to person) in China. According to the World Health Organization, one-third of the world has been affected at one time, and of those, 350 million are chronic carriers.


Types of Hepatitis

There are many types of hepatitis, including hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. Hepatitis B is one of the most common forms of the viral hepatitis. The hepatitis variants have many other causes, including certain medications, long-term alcohol use, fatty deposits in the liver, and exposure to certain industrial chemicals. They are basically illnesses of the liver. The liver is responsible for many processes such as hormone production, blood cleansing, production of digestive enzymes and most importantly, it filters out chemicals from drugs. It is a large organ with many responsibilities, the filter of the body. It is susceptible to toxicity from alcohol, medications and drugs. Liver abuse can lead to illnesses like hepatitis.


History of the Hepatitis B Virus

The earliest record of a hepatitis endemic was made in 1885 by Lurman. An outbreak of smallpox in Bremen in 1883 affected workers who were then vaccinated with lymph (the fluid that circulates in the lymphatic system) from other people. Months later, 191 of the vaccinated workers got jaundice and were diagnosed with serum hepatitis. Lurman’s paper proved that contaminated lymph was the source of the outbreak.

Later, many outbreaks were reported after the introduction of hypodermic needles being used – and reused – for administering medications. The hepatitis virus was not discovered until 1965 by Baruch Blumberg, who found the Australia antigen (hepatitis B surface antigen) in the blood of Australian aborigines. In essence, much of the Hepatitis B problem is a man-made illness due to the medical habits of the modern world.


How Hepatitis B Spreads

The Hepatitis B virus enters the body by infecting liver cells. The virus is composed of an outer shell and an inner core. The virus attaches to a liver cell’s membrane and the core particle of the virus enters the liver cell. The core particle then releases DNA into the liver cell. The Hepatitis B virus then replicates within the infected liver cells and eventually multiplies. Hepatitis B virus interferes with liver functions by replicating in liver cells (hepatocytes). Hepatitis B enters the body through the sharing of blood or body fluids (such as semen, saliva and vaginal fluids) with an infected person

The acute, or short-term, infection usually cannot be spread after antibodies against the surface antigen of HBV appear. This usually takes several weeks. For the chronic, or long-term, HBV infection the virus can spread as long as there is an active infection in the body.

In the past, medical blood transfusions were the common way of spreading HBV, and organ transplants could also spread the disease. Today, all donated blood and organs in the U.S. are screened for the hepatitis B virus (among others), so it is highly unlikely that a person could become infected with the virus from a blood transfusion or organ transplant.


How Hepatitis B Affects the Body

As hepatitis B spreads by blood or body fluids, it affects many parts of the body. The HBV virus can actually lead to liver disease if chronic and not treated. Blood contains the largest quantities of the virus. The blood and other body fluids carrying the virus can be contagious for a week and much longer, even if the fluid is dried.


Duration of the Hepatitis B Virus

Most adults who get hepatitis B have it for anywhere from a couple weeks to months and then get better (called acute hepatitis B) with no medical treatment. The virus can also cause long-term infection (called chronic hepatitis B) if someone is immune compromised. Babies rarely have acute Hep B and young children are more susceptible to contract the chronic form of Hep B with a much longer illness and more complications. According to webMD, some may even carry the virus for life – only 30 percent of young children and 5 percent of newborns who acquired it at birth will clear the infection on their own. Much is based on the immune system’s ability to fight the infection. 

Hepatitis B symptoms may not be noticeable, but are similar to the flu. The difference is the enlarged liver and the jaundice symptom (yellow of the eye whites). As long as you have the virus, you can spread it to others.

Symptoms of Hepatitis B may include:

• Lethargy (tired)
• Mild fever
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting/sick stomach
• Pain in stomach
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Muscle aches and joint pain
• Skin rash
• Jaundice
• Enlarged liver

Approximately 10 percent of people infected with Hepatitis B develop a chronic infection, with ongoing symptoms. They continue to be infectious for a variable length of time. A chronic infection is when Hepatitis B is present for 6 months or more. Most people with chronic Hepatitis B have no symptoms but over time, the liver can be damaged.

Hepatitis B is a contagious viral disease, one of many types of Hepatitis and causes inflammation of the liver. This variant of Hepatitis is caused by exposure to the blood or body fluids such as semen, saliva or vaginal fluids or blood of an infected person. Hepatitis B is most commonly contracted by having sexual intercourse with an infected person without using a condom. However, the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can be contracted by a number of different ways.

Hepatitis B can be contracted by:

• Sexual or oral contact: By having sex with an infected person, which the virus can spread through a break in the lining of the rectum, vagina, urethra or mouth.

• Sharing needles: Using a needle of an infected person for drug use, using a non-sterilized (not properly cleaned) needle for a tattoo or body piercing or blood transfusions.

• Work-related exposure: Handling contaminated blood or instruments used to draw blood that is contaminated, or being stuck by a used needle can cause exposure to the virus.

• Childbirth: A pregnant woman with the virus can pass it to her baby in delivery.

• Sharing personal hygiene products: A toothbrush or razor with the blood or saliva from an infected person can spread the HBV virus.

You cannot get Hepatitis B from hugging, kissing, sneezing, coughing, or sharing food or drinks.


Who Can Get Hepatitis B

HBV is highly infectious, and is commonly seen in drug users, homosexual men, immigrants from countries in Asia (where hepatitis B is very common) and their sexual partners. Those who have unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners or using intravenous drug use are at an increased risk of contracting Hepatitis B.

The key to preventing any infectious illnesses is to focus on building health! I dislike how the current allopathic medical model has people running scared, as though some big, bad bug is after them to attack and destroy them! I have never been concerned about getting Hepatitis B infection because regardless of exposure, it is up to the immune system to fight and regain control over the delicate balance in the body, Period!

I understand that not all people live in America where we have clean water, good nutrition and sanitation. Hepatitis B is a problem in 3rd world countries where immune systems are constantly challenged by polluted infected waters, poor nutrition and lack of sanitation. There will always be a few in this country who end up with the disease…but it is not usually life threatening! We cannot destroy the virus. Because we have clean water to drink and bath with, good distribution of fruits and vegetables all year around and sanitation in America, we do not really need a universal vaccine for this disease.

It is still good to be aware of ways to prevent exposure to hepatitis B infection. It is relatively simple to prevent just by following some precautionary measures. The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is spread through contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person. In the U.S. alone, one-third of all new infections result from sexual contact. Many people are also exposed to Hep B when getting tattoos in shops that do not practice the proper methods of hygiene with the needles and the inks. Hepatitis B can be prevented by avoiding high-risk situations and behaviors.

Ways to Help Prevent Hepatitis B Infection: 

• Use a condom during sexual intercourse every time.
• Avoid sharing needles and syringes with others.
• Avoid sharing razors and toothbrushes with infected people.
• Wear latex or plastic gloves if handling blood or needles.
• Practice good hygiene and a healthy lifestyle.

Many tools used by tattoo artists, body piercers, manicurists, pedicurists, cosmetologists and barbers should only be used once, on one person – especially needles and ink used for tattoos and body piercings – to prevent the chance of contracting hepatitis B. If you are considering a visit to any of the above professionals, it is imperative you ask questions to assure that they are following best health practices.

If an otherwise healthy person contracts hepatitis B, the virus will likely go away on its own. Time is the cure in this case, as most infected with hepatitis B will not even have symptoms. Experts recommend simple bed rest, plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, a healthy diet and avoiding alcohol (which is important because hepatitis B causes inflammation of the liver).

The CDC claims that the hep B vaccine can offer some protection from the disease but this is questionable. There is nothing one can take, medically, to prevent contracting the virus. If symptoms or complications do occur, it will be necessary to treat them as they occur while the body fights the virus.

Medication is available for chronic hepatitis B carriers. Though this will not cure hepatitis B, it may lower virus levels. A synthetic form of the protein interferon alpha is used to improve liver function in some people with hepatitis B and diminishes symptoms. (Note: Side effects such as headache, fever and other flu-like symptoms may occur.) Ask your doctor about using medication if you are a chronic sufferer. 

Vaccination for Hepatitis B

The hepatitis B vaccine was originally prepared from plasma obtained from people who were infected with hepatitis B. Today, it is made using a synthetic recombinant DNA technology that does not contain blood products. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the vaccine has been focused mostly toward newborns and school-aged children even though this is not the group who is most likely to get the disease. The original vaccine was not created for children but for sexually active prostitutes and drug users but because they were not interested in taking the vaccine, they simply mandated for children. 

If a person is exposed to the HBV virus before receiving all of the shots in the vaccination series, a dose of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) may be taken soon afterward. In most cases, HBIG will prevent infection until the immune system can fight back.

Overall, hepatitis B usually can be prevented without vaccination in individuals with a healthy immune system. The body will fight the virus in about 2 or 3 weeks, and the infected person will recover completely within 4 to 8 weeks. 

Hepatitis-related deaths now exceed deaths from HIV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Unfortunately, the data is difficult to know specifically, as officials may not know specific causes stemming from deaths caused by hepatitis B virus.

Nearly 2 billion people worldwide have been infected with the hepatitis B virus and about 350 million live with chronic infection. An estimated 600,000 people die each year from acute or chronic infection, with 3,000 dying in the U.S. alone from hepatitis B and its complications

Young vaccinated children are most likely to develop chronic infections of hepatitis B: 90% of infants infected during their first year of life develop chronic infections, and around 25% of adults who contract a chronic infection during childhood die from hepatitis B virus-related liver cancer or cirrhosis.

If someone becomes infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV), an acute infection will last weeks up to 6 months. For those who suffer from chronic infections, it likely will last a lifetime. Hepatitis B can be life-threatening, causing liver infection, cirrhosis of the liver and even liver cancer. It is considered the most serious type of viral hepatitis.

The hepatitis B virus is a “silent infection,” meaning many people will not realize they have it, seeing no symptoms. If it becomes chronic, the virus can continuously attack the liver with no signs whatsoever.

Hepatitis B Virus

Hepatitis B affects many groups, especially those not practicing safe sex. Additionally, this is a list of those at risk for contracting the virus: 

• Family members of those with hepatitis B
• Sexual partners of people with hepatitis B
• Newborn babies whose mothers are infected with the virus
• People traveling to a country where hepatitis B is common
• Drug users
• Homosexual men
• Hospital staff who come in contact with blood or needles.
• Patients of a hospital or assisted living facility sharing finger-stick devices and other blood glucose monitoring equipment.

Hepatitis B virus DNA stays in the body after infection and can recur in some people. Reactivation is rare, but is seen most often in people with impaired immunity. HBV cycles through replication and non-replication. Approximately 50 percent of people experience acute reactivation.

Hepatitis B has caused epidemics in Africa and Asia, and chronic hepatitis B is endemic in China. Most people in the region become infected with HBV during childhood, and 8-10 percent of adults are chronically infected. High rates of chronic infections are also found in the Amazon and the southern parts of eastern and central Europe. In the Middle East, 2 to 5 percent of the population is chronically infected. In Western Europe and North America, less than 1 percent is chronically infected.

The improvements in sanitation, clean water and nutrition definitely help the incidence of illnesses across the board. Strengthening the body and immune system will help the chances of avoiding hepatitis B infection or fighting it if exposed. Liver illnesses are often the result of a toxic lifestyle or abuse to the physical body. 

According to the Hepatitis B Foundation, 90% of all people who get Hepatitis B infection will completely heal from the illnesses with no complications confirmable by a blood test. I am often very leery to believe all that I read about the number of people who are diagnosed with a “silent illness” like hepatitis B because I do not trust modern diagnosis to be accurate. Something never considered is the number of medications that people are taking that can injure the liver and cause liver illnesses. I also know that the conclusions made by these statistics are often politically driven by an industry determined to get every human on multiple vaccines and medications!

Hepatitis-related deaths now exceed deaths from HIV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Unfortunately, the data is difficult to know specifically, as officials may not know specific causes stemming from deaths caused by hepatitis B virus.

Nearly 2 billion people worldwide have been infected with the hepatitis B virus and about 350 million live with chronic infection. An estimated 600,000 people die each year from acute or chronic infection, with 3,000 dying in the U.S. alone from hepatitis B and its complications.

Young children are most likely to develop chronic infections of hepatitis B: 90 percent of infants infected during their first year of life develop chronic infections, and around 25 percent of adults who contract a chronic infection during childhood die from hepatitis B virus-related liver cancer or cirrhosis.

If someone becomes infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV), an acute infection will last weeks up to 6 months. For those who suffer from chronic infections, it likely will last a lifetime. Hepatitis B can be life-threatening, causing liver infection, cirrhosis of the liver and even liver cancer. It is considered the most serious type of viral hepatitis. The hepatitis B virus is a “silent infection,” meaning many people will not realize they have it, seeing no symptoms. If it becomes chronic, the virus can continuously attack the liver with no signs whatsoever.

Hepatitis B Virus

Hepatitis B affects many groups, especially those not practicing safe sex. Additionally, this is a list of those at risk for contracting the virus: 

• Family members of those with hepatitis B
• Sexual partners of people with hepatitis B
• Newborn babies whose mothers are infected with the virus
• People traveling to a country where hepatitis B is common
• Drug users
• Homosexual men
• Hospital staff who come in contact with blood or needles.
• Patients of a hospital or assisted living facility sharing finger-stick devices and other blood glucose monitoring equipment.

Hepatitis B virus DNA stays in the body after infection and can recur in some people. Reactivation is rare, but is seen most often in people with impaired immunity. HBV cycles through replication and non-replication. Approximately 50 percent of people experience acute reactivation.

Hepatitis B has caused epidemics in Africa and Asia, and chronic hepatitis B is endemic in China. Most people in the region become infected with HBV during childhood, and 8-10 percent of adults are chronically infected. High rates of chronic infections are also found in the Amazon and the southern parts of eastern and central Europe. In the Middle East, 2 to 5 percent of the population is chronically infected. In Western Europe and North America, less than 1 percent is chronically infected.