Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B diagnosis
If doctors understand that you have hepatitis B, they will ask you to do a complete physical examination. They will also test your blood to see if you have an inflamed liver or not. If your liver enzymes are high and you also have symptoms of hepatitis B, you need to have several tests.
HBsAg: Antigens are proteins on the hepatitis B virus. Antibodies are proteins that are made by your body's immune cells. They are visible in the blood 2 and 11 weeks after exposure. If you get treatment and recover, it goes away after 5 to 6 months; but if they are present after six months, the condition has become chronic.
Anti-HBs: These are visible immediately after the HBsAg disappears. These are the main things that will make you immune to hepatitis B forever.
If the condition is chronic, then the doctor will perform a biopsy, which means a sample of your liver tissue will be tested. These can reveal the seriousness of the whole condition. A liver ultrasound may also be done to check the amount of liver damage. According to the results, the doctors will give you medicine for hepatitis B.
Complications of hepatitis B
Patients with hepatitis B often do not become ill and are not even aware of the condition until it reaches the final stages. This leads to serious complications.
Cirrhosis: This is where the liver becomes scarred. The liver cannot do its job properly and it slowly leads to liver failure.
Liver cancer: There is a chance of liver cancer if you suffer from chronic hepatitis B. Doctors may ask you to undergo an ultrasound scan to check the condition of your liver.
Liver failure: This is a condition where the liver stops working completely. It is also called "end-stage" liver disease. There are very few cases of hepatitis B where this has happened.
Kidney disease: Hepatitis B has been observed to cause cirrhosis and a type of kidney disease.
Blood vessel problems: This is primarily an inflammation of the blood vessels.
Hepatitis B prevention
There are several ways to prevent hepatitis B.
- The hepatitis B vaccine is the best way to prevent it, and it is also recommended to give this vaccine to all newborns.
- Using condoms during sex.
- If you need to touch linens, tampons and bandages, you should wear gloves.
- Cover all open wounds and cuts.
- Do not share pierced earrings, nail care tools, toothbrushes and razors with others.
- Do not share any chewing gum or prechew food before giving it to your child.
- Needles for tattooing, ear piercing or medication and pedicure and manicure tools are properly sterilized.

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