Hepatitis B

Question: Can a hepatitis B carrier allowed to be cured by authoriries in the UAE? If a person finds out he has hepatitis B, can he go for treatment before his next visa expiry? Is it allowed?

Answer: Yes but he has to go before. Like a few days before

Question: If a person gets infected with acute Hepatitis B. How much time does he take to recover? On the net its given that the person may take 6 weeks or a bit more to recover from Hepatitis B. But i want to know the approximate days the person needs to be in the hospital and the time he has to spend at his home (bed rest). Consider the above question for a person who has been infected for the first time and is not diagnosed initially but after the symptoms become more severe the doctor’s diagnose it as Hepatitis B and then start the treatment.

Answer: Actually it's not that long, anywhere from 2-6 weeks depending on the individual and over all health. For some the symptoms can be common flu like symptoms and for others more severe. The best rule of thumb during recovery is to avoid taxing the liver during illness. When referring to longer recovery times, this is usually in regard to the liver itself. Though feeling fine, the body is still recovering. After a period of six months the average person is considered, "well," and has developed the antibodies for the Hep. B virus and is protected for life. The above is not referring to hospital time. There is no real treatment for Hep. B, you simply have to ride it out. Most are not hospitalized at all, unless they happen to be extremely ill for some reason.

Question: I am wondering about Hepatitis B. How do you get it. Is it only by sexual contact or can there be other ways? A girl friend of mine told me that she has Hepatitis B but that she got it non sexually? Is she telling the truth or is she lying?

Answer: Hello, Transmission Hepatitis B is largely transmitted through exposure to bodily fluids containing the virus. This includes unprotected sexual contact, blood transfusions, re-use of contaminated needles and syringes, vertical transmission from mother to child during childbirth, and so on. The primary method of transmission depends on the prevalence of the disease in a given area. In low prevalence areas, such as the continental United States, IV drug abuse and unprotected sex are the primary methods. In moderate prevalence areas, the disease is predominantly spread among children. In high prevalence areas, such as South East Asia, vertical transmission is most common. Without intervention, a mother who is positive for the hepatitis B surface antigen confers a 20% risk of passing the infection to her offspring at the time of birth. This risk is as high as 90% if the mother is also positive for the hepatitis B e antigen. Roughly 16-40% of unimmunized sexual partners of individuals with hepatitis B will be infected through sexual contact. The risk of transmission is closely related to the rate of viral replication in the infected individual at the time of exposure.

Question: Can alcoholic Hepatitis cause a false positive for Hepatitis B? What are doctors testing for when they do a hepatitis B test? I know it's a virus, but what was wondering if a false positive would show up if there is hepatitis caused by alcohol. Thanks.

Answer: Alcohol can absolutely cause hepatitis...its a precursor to cirrhosis which is the result of prolonged and chronic alcoholic hepatitis. Alcoholic hepatitis can cause an elevation in your transaminases (liver enzymes). However, alcohol cannot cause a false positive in a person's Hepatitis B screening. The tests for Hepatitis B look for the virus or a person's reaction (antibodies) to Hepatitis B which can never be caused by alcohol.

Question: What is the remedy for Hepatitis B Infection? A person accidentally noticed infected with Hepatitis B about 2 years back. But the person is seems to be healthy and no symptoms or any other uneasy symptoms regarding Hepatitis B experienced so far. More over he is not taking any medicines against it. His appetite is OK. Digestion is OK. Very often he used to consume little alcohol. Will he survive for many years? What precautions he must take? Any suggestions please from learned and experienced peoples?

Answer: Treatment of hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection depends on how active the virus is and whether you are at risk for liver damage such as cirrhosis. Short-term (acute) hepatitis B usually goes away on its own. Home treatment is used to relieve symptoms and help prevent spread of the virus. In long-term (chronic) HBV infection, treatment includes monitoring the condition and using antiviral medications to prevent liver damage. If hepatitis B has severely damaged your liver, a liver transplant may be considered. The American Association for the Study of Liver Disease has made recommendations on who should receive antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis B based on the presence of hepatitis B antigens, level of HBV DNA, and the levels of liver enzymes in your blood.4 Treatment of short-term (acute) hepatitis B infection Initial treatment for hepatitis B infection depends on whether you: * Have been recently infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). * Have the symptoms of an acute HBV infection. * Have chronic HBV infection. If you believe you have recently been exposed to HBV, you should receive a shot of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and the first of three immunization shots of hepatitis B vaccineClick here to view a form.(What is a PDF document?). It is important to receive this treatment within 7 days after a needle stick and within 2 weeks after sexual contact that may have exposed you to the virus. The sooner you receive treatment after exposure, the more effective treatment is. If you have the symptoms of acute hepatitis B, treatment with medication is usually not needed. Home treatment usually will relieve your symptoms and help prevent the spread of the virus. To help relieve symptoms and prevent the spread of the infection: * Slow down. Reduce your activity level to match your energy level. Don't go to work or school unless your workload can be lightened. Avoid strenuous exercise. As you start to feel better, go back to your regular activities gradually. * Eat right. Even though food may not appeal to you, it is important to get adequate nutrition. For most people, nausea and loss of appetite become worse as the day goes on. Try eating a substantial (but not heavy) meal in the morning and lighter meals later in the day. * Drink plenty of liquids to avoid dehydration. It is important that you keep your body well-hydrated when you have hepatitis B, especially if you have been vomiting. Drink plenty of water and, if you can tolerate them, drink fruit juices and broth to obtain additional calories. Rehydration drinks help replenish electrolytes. * Avoid alcohol and drugs. Hepatitis B makes it difficult for your liver to process drugs and alcohol. If you take drugs (prescription or illegal) or drink alcohol when you have hepatitis, their effects may be more powerful and may last longer. In addition, alcohol and some drugs can make liver damage worse. You should avoid alcohol until your health professional feels that your liver is completely healed, which may take as long as 3 to 4 months. Tell your doctor about all of the prescription and over-the-counter medicines you are taking. * Try to control itching. People with hepatitis B sometimes develop itchy skin. You might try nonprescription medicines, such as Benadryl or Chlor-Trimeton, to control itching. But talk to your health professional before taking any over-the-counter medicines. * Prevent the spread of HBV by informing people you live with or sleep with about the illness, by not sharing personal toiletries (such as razors and toothbrushes), and by using a condom or abstaining from sex. For more information on treating the symptoms of acute HBV infection, see the Home Treatment section of this topic. You may be given medicine to treat an acute hepatitis B infection if: * Tests continue to detect a certain antigen (HBeAg) after 12 weeks. * Your liver enzyme levels are higher than normal, indicating that you may have some liver damage. * The amount of hepatitis B virus DNA is high, which means there is a lot of virus in the body (high viral load). Treatment of long-term (chronic) hepatitis B infection If you have chronic HBV infection, treatment depends on how active the virus is in your body and the potential for liver damage. The goal of treatment is to stop liver damage by preventing the virus from multiplying. Antiviral medication is used if the virus is active and you are at risk for liver damage. Medication slows the ability of the virus to multiply. Antiviral medicine for hepatitis B includes: * Interferons such as interferon alfa-2b and pegylated interferon alfa-2a. * Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) such as adefovir, entecavir, lamivudine, and telbivudine. Antiviral therapy is not recommended for everyone who has a chronic hepatitis B viral infection. Your doctor may recommend antivirals if you have or are likely

Question: What are the chances that my friend has passed me Hepatitis B if it runs in her family? I know Hep B is an STD, but I've been getting really close to her recently. I've shared food, drinks, and last night, a popsicle with her. We were on the phone last night and I found out that her mom has Hepatitis B! She told me that her family doctor let her know that she was immune, but does this mean that she isn't a carrier? Is it still safe to hug, kiss, and if things escalate, do anything else with her?

Answer: its safe just because she is immune doesnt mean she has it

Question: Is it possible for the hepatitis B surface antibody to decrease over time from reactive to nonreactive? In Dec 2003, the results of the hepatitis B virus immune assessment indicate the presence of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen. In Dec 2007, the hepatitis screen results indicate that the HBs antibody is nonreactive. Is it possible theoretically the above could happen? Statistically, is there any case showing that the antibody level may be decreasing over time after immunization?

Answer: yes its pretty common for the titres of antibodies against hepatitis-B (anti-Hbs) in the serum to reduce over the years. the extent varies from person to person but usually on an average it takes more than 5 yrs after the last dose of the vaccine for the titres to fall significantly to the extent that it might no longer provide protection to the individual againt any exposure to the virus. there it has been advocated to get the titre of the antibody in the plasma checked on an average after 5 yrs and if the levels of antibodies are still significant, nothing more needs to be done, but if the titres are low , then the person needs to take a booster dose of the vaccine. however till ow there are no definite guidelines regarding how frequently should the titres in the plasma should be checked. this is more so important for people in the health care and allied service where the chance of exposure to the virus is much higher. on the other hand ,another school of thought suggests that high risk people like people in the health care service should get a booster dose every 5 years from the last dose of the initial immunization (0,1, 6th mth), without going into the hassles of getting the titre of the antibody measured cause the vaccine itself is cheap, simple , easy to administer and the foremost very safe. personally i got my last dose in 1998, and last year I got my titre of antibody measured, since it was still significant, I didnt have to go for the booster dose.

Question: Can a person with hepatitis b get married and and have child like normal people ? Can a person with hepatitis b ( cronic or not cronic) get married and and have child like normal people ?

Answer: Of course. But please let your future partner know your diagnosis before you get intimate. If you both know what true love is you'll find a way around the baby part. Maybe adoption if advised against it.

Question: Can a person with Hepatitis B come to the States? I am engaged to be married to the most wonderful woman I have ever met. However she has Hepatitis B, I am immune via vaccination, and she is undergoing treatment for her condition. Once we are married, is it possible to bring her to the US?

Answer: While it is tested for at the immigration medical, it isn't an automatically deniable disease. In most cases, they would usually just require that she begin treatment and have counseling. She should be prepared for her medical and take notes from her regular doctor regarding her treatment. She should also be prepared to inform them and discuss it at the interview. To be extra safe, you should provide details of your health insurance to satisfy them of your ability to pay. Good luck!

Question: When did bloodbanks start screening blood for Hepatitis B? What year did they start screen for Hepatitis B?

Answer: Prior to 1980. I worked in a blood bank in the early eighties, and HBV testing was already routine.

Question: Hepatitis B? I just want to ask you a question? I am 25 years old guy and i have taken both the doses of Hepatitis B vaccine and dont have any history of Hepatitis B and never indulge in sex with out proctection. What are the chances of getting Hepatitis B if having sex and oral,anal sex with a person who has Hepatitis B ? Thanking You I have taken all the 3 Doses of Hepatitis B and also carefully taken and completed course of Hepatitis A. Now can you please tell me what are the chances of gettting Hepatitis B with regards of having sex,oral and anal sex with a person who has Hepatitis B?

Answer: Hepatitis B is a series of three shots. You may not be fully protected since you didn't have all three, but the only way to know is to have your blood titered to see if you have high enough levels of antibodies. Hep B is highly sexually transmitted, as well as through blood to blood, so if you use protection, and do not come in contact with blood, you should be OK. Best wishes.

Question: How did Diego Maradona get hepatitis B in 1991? Football legend Diego Maradona was diagnosed with acute alcoholic hepatitis recently, and nearly all reports also mentioned he'd also contracted hepatitis b back in 1991 while at Barcelona. Does anyone have more info on how he got hep B in 1991? Not looking for general hep b info, but rather specifics about how Maradona got it. Thanks!

Answer: Yes...he has always consumed alcohol in large quantities, and smoked cigars AND had a poor diet. In 1991 his Hep B consisted of his liver just being inflamed/enlarged. NOW, it is way more serious, with him suffering jaundice and hardening of the liver. His diet was the cause in '91, but it REALLY caught up to him when he retired.

Question: How probable is Hepatitis B carrier getting liver cancer? How probable is Hepatitis B carrier getting liver cancer later in his/her life? And is there any way to prevent this? Here's the blood test results: Hepatitis B Surface Antigen: Positive Hepatitis B Surface Antibody: Negative Hepatitis B e-antigen: Negative Hepatitis B Core IGM Antibody: Negative Hepatitis B e-antibody: Postive All the Hepatic Function Panel test results (including AST, ALT, and AFP) are normal. Thanks.

Answer: You're carrier. Chance for Hep B infection become chronic liver infection is 5%. 15 - 20 % from 5% have chanceto become chirrhosis and hepatoma (liver cancer). http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/article…

Question: Can you still get Hepatitis b even if you were fully vaccinated? My school keeps passing out fliers that tell us to get screen for hepatitis b. I got all of my shots and someone told me that I am still at rick even so. What do you think? Thanks.

Answer: NO! Hepatitis B vaccine consists of three different injections over a period of time. Antibody production during the first shot is 90%. That is how effective they are. The second injection produces 99% of the antibodies. If you indeed get three shots...you will not contract Hepatitis B!!!!!

Question: what isolation is needed for patients with hepatitis B? I am doing a paper on Hepatitis B for nursing school, and I need to know what isolation is needed. I found lots of info on the virus, but nothing related to this? Is there any such isolation to protect us or them?

Answer: They will be kept in a side room and universal precautions will be put in place. This means anyone entering the room will need to wear gloves and apron. Nothing in the room can be taken out and used for other patients (ie. everything must either be disposed of or given a deep clean.) linen must be placed in a dissolvable sugar bag and then in a red bag so laundry staff are away whats inside might be contaminated and the sugar bag will go straight into the machiene.

Question: is a person who is positive to hepatitis B able to get a work visa in UK? the person who is positive to hepatitis B carries the virus in a dormant form.he is a civil engineer from india.he is married and have a kid.they both are negative to hepatitis B.

Answer: I dont see why not, i am not sure though