Hepatitis B
Imagine going about your day, healthy, happy. Your stomach begins to feel upset and you feel extremely tired. Believing you have the flu, you rest for a few days and feel better. However, a more insidious virus has begun to spread. Hepatitis B can be easily confused with a milder, less serious illness. One of the most common liver diseases in the world, many people with Hepatitis B don’t even know they have it, or experience at most some mild discomfort.[i] These mild symptoms are what makes Hepatitis B so dangerous. It can create a false sense of security, allowing the virus to spread until it is too late.
A Hepatitis B diagnosis can be scary. While it is serious, the biggest shadows that loom over this disease are the related stigmas that come with any sexually transmitted disease, and its ability to spread before symptoms begin to show. Luckily, there are reliable treatment options for those with Hepatitis B, but left untreated this virus can evolve into a permanent condition and can lead to liver scarring that leads to cancer. With the right treatment and support of loved ones, those with Hepatitis B can continue living happily, and healthfully.
What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a virus that attacks the liver, one of your most important organs. If your body were a car, your liver would be the engine. Not only does it help your body convert and store food for energy, it also cleans your blood, helps you recover from injuries, and helps you fight off infections.[i]
With Hepatitis B the liver is no longer able to perform those important functions. If you drive a car with an engine that’s slowly breaking, you may not realize there is a problem until the car stops working altogether. Similarly, those with Hepatitis B may not notice anything is wrong until they develop serious conditions such as cancer or HIV.
Hepatitis B travels through bodily fluids, most commonly blood, semen, vaginal and menstrual fluids, and saliva. The virus can go undetected for months,[ii] giving the virus the chance to spread inside the body, and to friends and loved ones well before being diagnosed.[iii]
There are two types of Hepatitis B infection: acute and chronic. When you are first infected, you have an acute infection. You may not have any symptoms and your body may get rid of the virus on its own. An acute infection can last up to six months. If you still test positive for Hepatitis B more than six months after your first positive test, you have a chronic infection. This means your immune system was not able to get rid of the virus and it remains in your blood and liver.[iv]
What are the symptoms of Hepatitis B?
The most common Hepatitis B symptoms can be mistaken for the flu, namely fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Some of the more uncommon symptoms include discoloured urine or bowel movements, or yellowing skin and eyes.[i] People who do feel these symptoms can have them for several weeks or up to six months, which is when the virus turns into a permanent illness.
To test for Hepatitis B, your doctor may call for one of three possible tests:[ii]
- Blood Test: Checks whether Hepatitis B is in the bloodstream and determines if this is a new infection, an old infection that is already gone, or an old infection that is still active.
- Liver Ultrasound: Using soundwaves, doctors can check for any liver damage associated with Hepatitis B. [iii]
- Liver Biopsy: Takes a sample of the liver using a needle to determine if there is any liver damage. This test is usually conducted if you’re suspected to have chronic Hepatitis B.
How common is Hepatitis B?
Of the 257 million people living with the disease across the globe, 27 million know they are infected.[i]
Hepatitis B can affect anyone. However, some may want to get tested more frequently, including medical professionals, those who share or come in contact with used needles, gay men, or children born to infected mothers. [ii]
Children are the most likely to develop chronic Hepatitis B and suffer more serious complications. In adults, less than 5% of otherwise healthy patients develop chronic Hepatitis B after infection.[iii] However, 80-90% of infants less than a year old and 30-50% of children under the age of six who are infected with Hepatitis B will develop chronic conditions. This is why preventative measures, such as vaccinations, are so crucial for young children.[iv]Treatment and care
Unfortunately, there are no treatments for patients with acute Hepatitis B. Some may end up staying in a hospital for general care, but the best thing you can do is rest and take precautions to avoid spreading the virus to others.
If you have chronic Hepatitis B, there are several low maintenance treatment options to make sure the infection does not get worse or spread to others. These medical treatments are as easy as taking a daily pill in the morning. Like other chronic conditions, the best treatment is a mix of medicine and lifestyle changes. Eating a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables and avoiding alcohol are great ways to keep your liver healthy.
To make sure these treatments are working, it is important to get blood tests every six months to make sure the infection is under control.
Caring for someone with Hepatitis B
While modern medicine has made Hepatitis B a manageable infection for most patients, it can still be a scary diagnosis. Knowledge can be the greatest asset for those supporting loved ones with Hepatitis B. Work together to research and learn about this infection and begin to plan what lifestyle changes you can make to help support someone if their Hepatitis B becomes a chronic condition.[i]
Like other infectious diseases, there are stigmas around Hepatitis B that can cause patients social anxiety and distress,[ii] which makes it all the more important for caregivers and loved ones to be supportive of patients as they face these emotional hardships. This can be especially true for those with an acute infection, who do not have treatment available and may feel more helpless as they are forced to wait for their bodies to either rid themselves of the virus or prepare for a life with a chronic condition.
Because this infection can spread so easily, it is important for loved ones to get tested as well. Thankfully, this infection, when treated properly, can be managed, allowing patients and their loved ones to focus on plans for a bright future together.
Questions to ask your doctor
- How do I know if I have Hepatitis B?
- If I no longer have Hepatitis B after the acute stage, can I get it again?
- Can I have children if I have chronic Hepatitis B?
- Can I donate blood if I have chronic Hepatitis B?
- How can I protect my loved ones if I have acute Hepatitis B?
- What lifestyle choices can I make to help lessen the risks associated with Hepatitis B?
- If I no longer have Hepatitis B after the acute stage, am I at greater risk for other liver diseases?
- How long after being diagnosed with Hepatitis B can I spread it to others?
- How often should my loved ones be tested for Hepatitis B if I have been diagnosed?
- How do I know if I have Hepatitis A, B, or C?
Janssen & Hepatitis
While current treatments help patients manage the serious effects of chronic Hepatitis B, Janssen is dedicated to finding a functional cure for the millions of patients who suffer from this infection, lifting the physical, financial, and emotional burden of a lifelong, daily chronic treatment. [i]
Through clinical trials, industry and government partnerships, and the full power of our research teams, Janssen is committed to finding new, innovative solutions to help Hepatitis B patients around the world. [ii]
Glossary
- · Cirrhosis: Irreversible liver scarring
- · Fibrosis: A growth of fibrous tissue on the liver that can lead to Cirrhosis
- · Asymptomatic: Having an infection that does not show symptoms
- · HBV: Hepatitis B Virus
- · Hepatologist: A doctor who specializes in liver treatment.
- · Jaundice: Yellow colouring of the eyes or skin
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World Hepatitis Day
On July 28th, health care professionals and advocacy groups partner with the World Health Organization to spread awareness of the millions of people who are infected and live with the virus and the “missing millions” who continue to go undiagnosed and untreated.
World Hepatitis Alliance
The World Hepatitis Alliance is a global patient-led organization dedicated to finding a cure for Hepatitis through government and industry partnerships and advocacy, and end the stigmas surrounding Hepatitis
