What is Hepatitis B virus Liver disease and Homoeopathy prevention methods

Hepatitis B is an infection of liver formally known as serum hepatitis hepatitis. Usually, it is an acute self limited infection, which may be either subclinical or symptomatic. In approximately 5 to 15% of cases. Infection may cause progressive liver disease including active hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Incidence & Prevalence: It is endemic throughout the world. In India carrier rate in general population is 5 to 7%.

Agent: Hepatitis B virus is DNA virus, replicates in liver cells. It has three different antigens, surface antigen (HbsAg), a core antigen (HbcAg), and an “e” antigen (HbeAg).

• Man is the only reservoir of infection
• Contaminated blood is the main source of infection, although virus has been found in saliva, vaginal secretions and semen of infected person.
• The virus gets destroyed by sodium hypochlorite and by autoclaving for 30 to 60 minutes.
• High-risk groups are surgeons, recipients of blood transfusions, laboratory personnel, homosexuals, prostitutes, percutaneous drug abusers & infants of HBV carrier mothers.

Mode of transmission:

• Parenteral:  infected blood & blood products through transfusions, dialysis, contaminated syringes & needles, pricks of skin, handing of infected blood, surgical & dental procedures, immunization, traditional tattoing, ear & nose piercing, ritual circumcision, acupuncture etc.
• Perinatal transmission: The sexually promiscuous, particularly male homosexuals, are at very high risk of infection.
• Sexual transmission: The sexually promiscuous, particularly male homosexuals, are at very high risk of infection.
• Other: Child to child through cuts or skin infection, some blood sucking arthropods are also suspected.

Incubation period: 45 to 180 days.

Prevention & control:

Primary: Vaccines available, 2 types, plasma derived & DNA yeast derived.

Immunization schedule

• 1^st dose    1ml   at elected date
• 2^nd dose   1ml   1 month later
• 3^rd dose    1ml   6 months after the first dose

• Children under 10 years – half the dose at the same time interval.
• Blood to be screened before transfusion.
• Encouraging voluntary blood donation
• Adequate sterilization of instruments.
• Advise to use barrier method of contraception & no to share razors & brushes to carries.

Homoeopathy prevention

1. Health education about blood-safety, spread of disease
2. Promotion of safe & hygienic practices and discouraging practice of unhygienic tattooing & circumcision.
3. Encouraging voluntary blood donation
4. Adequate sterilization of instruments.
5. Advise to use barrier method of contraception & not to share razors & brushes with carriers.