Hepatitis B is a serious viral infection that harms the liver. It can cause both short-term illness and long-term disease. Some people recover quickly, while others develop chronic hepatitis B that lasts for life. This increases the risk of liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.
The disease is caused by this virus (HBV). Around 296 million people worldwide live with this condition. Despite the risks, it is preventable with vaccines and manageable with modern treatments.
How Hepatitis B Spreads
This condition spreads through blood and body fluids. It is much more infectious than HIV and can survive outside the body for up to seven days. You can get hepatitis B through:
- Mother-to-child transmission during childbirth
- Unprotected sex with an infected person
- Sharing needles or medical tools that are not sterile
- Sharing personal items like razors or toothbrushes
- Workplace exposure for healthcare workers
Where Hepatitis B Is Common
Hepatitis B exists worldwide, but it is most common in:
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- East Asia
- Pacific Islands
- Parts of the Middle East
In these places, babies and young children often get infected through birth or family contact. In countries like the UK or Western Europe, it usually spreads through unsafe sex, drug use, or travel to high-risk areas.
Acute and Chronic Hepatitis B
There are two main forms of hepatitis B—acute and chronic.
Acute hepatitis B is a recent infection. People may feel tired, have yellow skin (jaundice), dark urine, belly pain, or nausea. Most adults recover fully and become immune.
Chronic hepatitis B lasts for life. It often starts without symptoms, especially in babies or young children. The younger you are when infected, the higher your risk of chronic disease:
- 90% of newborns develop chronic infection
- 30% of children under five
- Only 5% of healthy adults
Over time, this condition can silently damage the liver. It may lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer without early treatment.
Prevention of Hepatitis B
The good news is that this condition is preventable. A safe vaccine offers long-term protection. Most children receive it as part of routine shots. High-risk groups also need the vaccine, including:
- Healthcare workers
- People who inject drugs
- Those with many sexual partners
- People with liver or kidney disease
Babies born to infected mothers get both the vaccine and special medicine (HBIG) at birth to stop infection.
Treatment for Hepatitis B
There is no cure for chronic hepatitis B, but treatments can help control it. Medicines like tenofovir and entecavir lower the virus levels, reduce liver damage, and cut the risk of serious disease. With treatment, many people live healthy, normal lives.
Global Efforts to Stop Hepatitis B
The World Health Organization aims to end this condition as a health threat by 2030. Plans focus on:
- Expanding vaccines
- Increasing testing and treatment
- Teaching people how to avoid infection
Summary
Hepatitis B is a global health issue that causes both short-term and long-term liver disease. It spreads through blood and body fluids and is especially dangerous when caught early in life. But it is preventable with vaccines and manageable with treatment. With the right care, most people can avoid severe illness, and public health experts hope to eliminate this condition in the future
