Hepatitis” means inflammation of the liver. The liver is a vital organ that processes nutrients, filters the blood, and fights infections. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function can be affected. Hepatitis is most often caused by a virus. Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, and certain medical conditions can also cause hepatitis.
Hepatitis B virus infection has different clinical manifestations depending on the patient’s age at infection and immune status, and the stage at which the disease is recognized.
During the incubation phase of the disease, patients may feel unwell with possible nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, anorexia and headaches. Patients may then become jaundiced although low grade fever and loss of appetite may improve. People who have symptoms generally feel quite ill and might need to be hospitalized.
The symptoms are as follows;
- Yellowing of skin and whites of eyes,
- dark coloured urine
- loss of appetite or nausea
- bloated and tender belly
- extreme tiredness
- fever and
- pain in joints.
The best way to prevent Hepatitis B is by getting vaccinated. For adults, the Hepatitis B vaccine is given as a series of three shots over a and effective vaccine to protect yourself and your loved ones for a lifetime, that all infants, children and adolescents up to age 18 receive the HBV vaccine. The vaccine is also recommended for all adults who may be at high risk for infection.
Some people can receive the vaccine free of charge from their local public Health clinic. High-risk adults may also be covered by their health insurance or can receive the vaccine through an STD or family planning clinic.
Finally it is advisable that whenever a patient thinks he has the symptom or exposed to the virus should be fast to contact a doctor or any specialized hospital without any delay to be vaccinated with hepatitis B immune globulin and the dose as soon as possible before it get out of hand.
The post Hepatitis B: A Silent Killerappeared first on Nigerian News from Leadership News.
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