what is the hepatitis B?

Answer 1

Hepatitis B is a DNA virus that affects mainly the liver (hence the name- which means inflammation of the liver).
It is transmitted by sexual contact or be blood or blood products.Needle sharing IV drug users, medical personel coming into contact with blood etc.
After a brief incubation period the infected person may get a primary viremia with flu like symptoms and jaundice..subsequently the immune system may supress and eliminate the virus ...but in a good percentage the patient becomes a chronic carrier..carriers can transmit Hep B to others and are at an increased risk for cirrhosis of the liver (an end stage liver that does not work any more due to scaring) and hepatocellular cancer or liver cancer.
There are treatment options now available to treat chronic Hep B
Also there are medications and Immune globulins that can be given to babies born to Hep B + ve moms to prevent transmission to the baby (most transmission to the baby occures during the process of childbirth when there is contact with the mothers blood )
There is a very effective recombinant vaccine avaiable for protection of people who may be at increased risk ..like medical personel..family members of those with Hep.B etc.
Read on more at the CDC website hepatitis B FAQ.
Good luck

Answer 2

Cause

Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B is one of the most easily spread (contagious) forms of viral hepatitis, which includes hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. However, hepatitis has many other causes, including some medications, long-term alcohol use, fatty deposits in the liver, and exposure to certain industrial chemicals.

Answer 3

Hepatitis B is a virus which is spread through blood and body fluids, including sex, which causes inflammation of the liver. Some patients will become chronic carriers and others will develop liver failure, cirrhosis and even liver cancer as a result of this infection.

There is a fairly effective vaccine to prevent HepB and it may even help after exposure. Currently, babies are usually vaccinated beginning before leaving the hospital. An vaccine series is three injections given over a six month period.

Hep B is extremely contagious and contact with body fluids and even a tiny break in the skin or mucus membranes may result in being infected. Other risks are tattooing, piercing, sharing needles, and anything else that involves body fluids.

Answer 4

Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. The virus, which is called hepatitis B virus (HBV), can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death.

Hepatitis B vaccine is available for all age groups to prevent hepatitis B virus infection.

Hepatitis B is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a virus (HBV) that attacks the liver. The virus is found in the blood and semen of infected men and is spread in the same manner as HIV. HBV is easier to catch than HIV because it is more than 100 times more concentrated in an infected person's blood and can exist on surfaces outside the body.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at increased risk of becoming infected with both the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Although these viruses can be transmitted in different ways, both can be spread through sexual activity.

Hepatitis is a serious disease that can be fatal. Fortunately, both hepatitis B and hepatitis A can be prevented by safe and effective vaccines. Unfortunately, many men at risk remain unprotected.

How are HBV and HAV spread?
An HBV-infected man can spread the virus to another person by

1. Having unprotected anal or vaginal sex

2. Sharing needles for drugs, piercing, or tattooing

3. Coming in contact with the infected person's open sores or blood

4. Sharing toothbrushes, razors, nail clippers, etc.

5. Biting another person

HBV can also be spread by living in a household with a chronically infected person.

HAV is usually transmitted from particles of fecal material too small to be seen, for example, by eating or drinking contaminated food or water or during sex.

Answer 5

A viral liver disease that may be acute or chronic, and can be life-threatening. It can be easily transmitted by sexual contact, shared needles, or contaminated blood products. In chronic hepatitis B, the result can lead to cirrhosis and/or cancer in the liver. Currently, it is incurable and leads to lifelong treatment.