Hepatitis B Route of transmission Transmission of hepatitis

Hepatitis B

Route of transmission • Transmission of hepatitis B virus results from exposure to infectious blood or body fluids containing blood: Ø unprotected sexual contact, Ø blood transfusions, Ø re-use of contaminated needles & syringes, Ø vertical transmission from mother to child during childbirth.

General Symptoms ~Associated with acute viral hepatitis, an illness that begins with general ill-heath which can last for a few weeks and then gradually improves e. g. loss of appetite nausea vomiting itchy skin A few patients may have more severe liver disease, and may die as a result of it.

General Treatment in HK ~does not usually require treatment because most adults clear the infection spontaneously. ~FOR Infants born to mothers known to carry hepatitis B: can be treated with antibodies to the hepatitis B virus. -When given with the vaccine within twelve hours of birth, the risk of acquiring hepatitis B is reduced 95%. =>allows a mother to safely breastfeed her child.

Preventive measures • Several vaccines have been developed for the prevention of hepatitis B virus infection. • Unlike Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B does not generally spread through water and food. Instead, it is transmitted through body fluids, from which prevention is taken to avoid: n unprotected sexual contact, n blood transfusions, n re-use of contaminated needles and syringes, n vertical transmission during child birth. ü Infants may be vaccinated at birth.