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
- 1st dose 1ml at elected date
- 2nd dose 1ml 1 month later
- 3rd 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
- Health education about blood-safety, spread of disease
- Promotion of safe & hygienic practices and discouraging practice of unhygienic tattooing & circumcision.
- Encouraging voluntary blood donation
- Adequate sterilization of instruments.
- Advise to use barrier method of contraception & not to share razors & brushes with carriers.