Overview
Hepatitis B is a vaccine preventable viral condition caused by Hepatitis B virus (HBV). It can cause severe damage to your liver leading to cirrhosis of liver or liver cancer. It is more contagious than HIV; therefore all possibilities of Hepatitis B should be screened to avoid getting infected in the risk area. Hepatitis B cannot be cured. Its symptoms can be relieved and you can stop it from turning to chronic condition by increasing your body's immunity. A large number of natural home remedies have been found to effectively relieve symptoms of hepatitis B. These remedies generally improve the body immunity and stop the spread of hepatitis B virus.
Symptoms of Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B infection generally remains undetected until the physical signs and symptoms begin to appear. It may take usually 1-4 months before the physical symptoms appear. By that time some damage to the liver is already done. These signs and symptoms of hepatitis B can appear form the mild to severe category.
Hepatitis B physical signs and symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Pain in Abdomen
- Joint Pain
- Yellow urine
- Yellowing of skin
- Whites of eyes turn yellow (Jaundice)
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness and fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
What Causes Hepatitis B?
You may get hepatitis B if you:
- Have unprotected sex with an infected person. All body fluids such as blood, saliva, semen and vaginal secretions are all active carrier of HBV.
- Share razor, toothbrush or other personal care products without proper sterilization.
- Use the same needle for drug injection used by the infected person. This cause has significantly reduces as the general awareness of disadvantages of sharing needle has increased many folds in the last one decade.
- Are pregnant, then you can pass on the virus to the newborn child. Vaccination at the time of childbirth almost completely removes the risk. So if you are pregnant woman then you must consult your doctor.
The hepatitis virus is not passed on through hugging, kissing or sharing eating utensils. But the virus may stay outside of the body for a week or so. During this period it may enter your body through even a minor skin cut . So to be safe stay away from any kind of contact with the infected person.
Is hepatitis B Contagious?
Yes, hepatitis B is a highly contagious condition. Anyone who is infected can pass it on to others even if the already infected person is not showing any symptoms. The infection usually transmits through blood and other body fluids. Surprisingly it is not transmitted through saliva. Sexual fluids are highly contagious.
The hepatitis B infection may get transmitted:
It can be passed on by one person to other by sexual contact, contaminated personal care products such as razor, accidental pricking of contaminated needle and pregnancy to newborn child
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of hepatitis B virus infection requires assessment of symptoms, blood tests and the evaluation of blood for hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B surface antibody, and hepatitis B core antibody.
A protein on the surface of hepatitis B virus is generally found in high levels in blood during acute or chronic hepatitis B virus infection. The presence of HBsAg indicates infection. The body normally produces antibodies to HBsAg as part of the normal immune response to infection.
While patients with acute HBV infection are typically seropositive for the antibody anti-HBc-IgM, At times this antibody is the only marker of infection present in the early detection process when the HBsAg and anti-HBs tests are both undetectable. Generally following tests are done.
- Anti-HBc-IgM. Anti-HBc-Total.
- HBeAg.
- Antibody to hepatitis B e protein.
- HBV-DNA.
Home Remedies for Hepatitis B
It is all about improving your immunity if you have contracted hepatitis B virus. Following remedies will help you to increase your immunity and stop the spread of hepatitis b virus (HBV).
1. Stay Hydrated
It is not only hepatitis B but for your general wellbeing you should remain fully hydrated all the time. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. You should drink a minimum 8-10 glasses of water every day. You can also drink fresh fruit and vegetable juices. Avoid all carbonated, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks as they cause dehydration.
2. Eat Healthy Diet
Your nutritional balance should be maintained well to live with hepatitis B. Eat anti-inflammatory and cancer-fighting foods to stay healthy. Make green leafy vegetables, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, root vegetables like carrots, beets, and sweet potatoes.
Eat more fruits and nuts and unrefined oils.
3. Avoid Refined Carbohydrates, Sugars and Oils
All refined food products such as carbohydrates, sugar and refined oils are a source of inflammations. Avoid these foods to keep your immunity high and stop spread of the hepatitis b virus within your body.
4. Reduce Stress
Learn to reduce stresses as stresses can cause inflammations and reduce your body’s immunity. You can walk, do yoga and simply take rest daily to get rid of fatigue caused by hepatitis b virus.
Preventions and Precautions
Hepatitis B begins to damage the liver before showing any signs or symptoms. Therefore, it becomes vital to do screening for hepatitis B particularly if you live in a neighborhood where incidences of the condition exist.
Your doctor will do the following screening test to rule our hepatitis B
Doctors sometimes test certain healthy people for hepatitis B infection because the virus can damage the liver before causing signs and symptoms. Talk to your doctor for screening for hepatitis B infection if you:
- Live with someone who has hepatitis B
- Are genetically vulnerable ( If your parents had hepatitis B)
- Have many sexual partners
- Have a history of sexually transmitted diseases (STD)
- Are Gay
- Have Hepatitis C
- Live in a country where Hepatitis B is common – Some Asian, African, and eastern European countries have more incidences
- High levels of liver enzymes
- Are taking immunosuppressive medicines
- Are taking drugs ( illegal drugs)
- Are pregnant
- Have kidney disease
- Have liver disease
In addition to the above screening you should take the following precautions to stay away from Hepatitis B
- Stay away from people with hepatitis B – It is contagious
- Don’t share personal care items with an infected person
- Eat healthy food
- Have safe sex – If your partner has Hepatitis B then have it treated
- Drink clean water
So if you are in the high risk country or you suspect the symptoms of hepatitis B then check with your doctor immediately.