Popular Packages
Tests By Profiles
Package Categories
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that causes liver inflammation, and it transmits through body fluids including blood. Most people have acute hepatitis B, but untreated hepatitis B can become chronic with time. And chronic hepatitis B can cause severe damage to the liver. Although hepatitis B infection is not completely curable, vaccines can prevent this infection.
What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a viral infection which is caused by the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B is one of the five types of hepatitis virus. These infections cause inflammation in the liver tissues. Hepatitis B infection can be acute and severe as well. Some people have the acute form of hepatitis B that resolves on its own, while some people may develop chronic hepatitis that need serious medical treatment.
One can pass this infection without knowing that they have this infection. Infants who have this infection from birth are more at a risk of developing chronic hepatitis B later. Chronic hepatitis B develops steadily and may not cause any symptoms until complications begin to appear.
What are the symptoms of Hepatitis B infection?
Most people contracted this virus from their parents at the time of their birth. However, the infection can not be diagnosed at that time, as it does not show noticeable symptoms until the child is 5 years old. The symptoms begin to appear within two to five months after contracting the virus. The common symptoms of early infection are:
The symptoms of acute infection may resolve on their own, but you still need to see a doctor if any symptoms occur. The symptoms of chronic hepatitis B may not show soon but later on when the symptoms begin to arrive, it may indicate severe liver condition or liver failure.
How can you get hepatitis B?
The hepatitis B virus spreads through body fluids, such as blood and semen. In more simple words, you can get infected with this virus, if any body fluids of an infected person enters your body. This transmission can happen due to several reasons, including:
How is hepatitis B diagnosed?
To diagnose a hepatitis B infection, at first, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and run a physical examination. They might ask you about your and your family’s health history, to understand if your family member has liver disease. Then they will suggest a diagnostic test to detect hepatitis infection. You can go for thyrocare blood test packages. Thyrocare offers a free home sample collection as well.
The treatment for the hepatitis B infection depends on the status of the infection. However, there is no treatment available for acute hepatitis B infection. Generally people with an acute infection do not need much treatment. Besides, doctors use oral antiviral medication and immune modulator drugs to treat chronic hepatitis B infection.
