Bhepatiidi

B hepatiidi, often referred to as hepatitis B, is a viral liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It can present as an acute illness or progress to a chronic infection. HBV is transmitted through exposure to infectious body fluids, most commonly from mother to child at birth, through unprotected sex, via contaminated needles, or through blood products and medical procedures with inadequate infection control.

Symptoms range from none to significant illness. Acute hepatitis B may cause fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, jaundice, dark urine, and pale stools. Many adults clear the virus spontaneously within six months, but a substantial number of infants and some adults develop chronic infection. Chronic HBV can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or hepatocellular carcinoma over time.

Diagnosis relies on serologic testing and viral measurements. Key markers include HBsAg (infection), anti-HBs (immunity), and anti-HBc (exposure). HBV DNA levels indicate viral replication. Chronic infection is defined by the persistence of HBsAg for more than six months.

Treatment depends on disease stage. Acute HBV generally requires supportive care; antiviral therapy is not routinely used. Chronic HBV may require lifelong antiviral treatment with agents such as tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, tenofovir alafenamide, or entecavir to suppress replication. Interferon-based therapy is used selectively. Prevention is best achieved through vaccination, which is safe and highly effective, typically given in a 0, 1, and 6-month schedule. Additional prevention measures include safe sex practices, screening of pregnant women to reduce perinatal transmission, and ensuring sterile medical practices.

Epidemiology: HBV remains a global health issue, with hundreds of millions living with chronic infection, particularly in parts of Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. Vaccination programs have substantially reduced incidence in many regions.