HBV medium of transmission
 
The hepatitis B virus is a blood-borne virus because it is transmitted from one person to another via blood. Therefore blood is the major channel through which the disease is transmitted.

Body fluids are mediums through which the virus is transmitted. This is through body fluids like saliva and semen which come into contact with broken skin, the mouth, genital organs or rectum of an uninfected person.

People who are at increased risk of being infected with the hepatitis B virus are; people who have multiple sex partners, especially if they don’t use condoms with a person infected with HBV, with other sexually transmitted diseases, who share sharp instruments, people who receive blood transfusion or blood products and also infants born to infected mothers.

People should note that one cannot get infected with hepatitis B virus through; being sneezed or coughed on, hugging, handshaking, breastfeeding, eating food or drinking water and casual contact in an office or social setting.

Symptoms of a person infected with hepatitis B

Half of all people infected with the hepatitis B virus have no symptoms. Symptoms develop within 30-180 days of exposure to the virus. The symptoms are often compared to flu. Most people think they have flu and never think about having HBV infection.

Other symptoms include appetite loss, feeling tired, nausea and vomiting, itching all over the body, pain over the liver especially on the right side of the abdomen, under the lower rib cage. 

Jaundice, a condition in which the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow in colour, urine becomes dark in color like coca or tea.

In its severe form acute hepatitis can be life threatening if not treated right away. Its symptoms develop very suddenly.

These include; mental disturbances such as confusion, exhaustion, extreme sleepiness or hallucinations, jaundice and swelling of the abdomen.

Treatment

Acute hepatitis B usually goes away by itself and does not require medical treatment. Severe symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea may require treatment to restore fluids and electrolytes.

There is no medication that prevents acute hepatitis B from becoming chronic. If one has chronic hepatitis B, he or she should see a doctor regularly.

Prevention
 
There is a vaccine that prevents HBV. These vaccines are Engerix-B, Recombivax HB. They are safe and work well to prevent the disease.

A total of three doses are given over several months. This vaccine has successfully prevented infection in people exposed to the virus. It is recommended for all children younger than 19 years and it can be given as part of their normal vaccination series.

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