Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Hepatitis is inflammation and dysfunction of the liver. Hepatitis can be caused by consumption of toxins (especially alcohol), drug overdose, injury, or viral infection. Hepatitis B is a common virus that causes infection and inflammation of the liver, which can be for a short time (acute) or for a long time (chronic). It is estimated that about 2 billion people worldwide are infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and more than 350 million people have chronic hepatitis B, which leads to lifelong liver infections. Symptoms of acute hepatitis B include jaundice, yellowing of the eyes, fever, fatigue, dark urine, and abdominal pain. Chronic hepatitis is also associated with advanced liver dysfunction, cirrhosis and ultimately liver failure.There is no cure for hepatitis B, but it can be prevented with vaccinations and lifestyle changes.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Prevent hepatitis B with vaccines

1. 

   
   
   Vaccination for babies. According to the Ministry of Health, the best way to prevent hepatitis B is to get vaccinated, especially right after birth. There are two types of HBV vaccines currently available, Recombivax HB and Engerix-B. Both types require 3 intramuscular injections over a period of 6 months. Infants need the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine right after birth and the next 2 doses within 6 months. The vaccine is usually injected into the child's thigh.
   • Infants born to mothers with acute hepatitis B or who have previously had hepatitis B should get the vaccine within 12 hours of birth.
   • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), after 3 doses of the vaccine, at least 95% of babies, children, and adolescents develop sufficient antibodies against HBV and immunity.
   • Side effects from the hepatitis B vaccine are usually not serious, including soreness at the injection site and mild flu-like symptoms.

2. 

   
   
   Give your child a "chase" injection. Infants or adolescents who have not had an HBV vaccine after birth need a "shot-off" shot to help their immune system "speed up" to prevent infection with hepatitis B. This step is essential for children with the immune system is poor, the child needs frequent blood transfusions and the child has serious liver and kidney disease. Besides, adolescents who reach puberty need to be "kicked". The shoulder muscle is the recommended site for vaccination against hepatitis B for children and adults.
   • HBV is contagious but is not transmitted by saliva. It is only transmitted through contact with blood and other bodily fluids such as semen. Therefore, you will not get hepatitis B if you share food, drink, or when you kiss or sneeze.
   • The Recombivax HB vaccine is available in only 2 doses (instead of 3) for adolescents 11-15 years of age, making it a more appropriate choice for children who are afraid of needles.

3. 

   
   
   "Reminder" if in high risk group. Even after you have had the vaccine after giving birth, you should have a booster shot (3 doses over 6 months) if you are in the high-risk group. People at high risk of hepatitis B include health care workers, people who travel regularly (especially to developing countries), people living in a country at high risk of hepatitis B infection, and hemodialysis workers, people who have sex indiscriminately, people who have a sexually transmitted disease, pregnant women, gay men, drug users, people in rehabilitation centers, people in need blood supply products or regular blood transfusions (patients with hemodialysis), people with weakened immune systems, and people with chronic kidney and liver disease.
   • The regular (3-dose) hepatitis B vaccine schedule is only 75% effective in the prevention of clinical hepatitis or hepatitis in people over 60 years of age. Therefore, people over the age of 60 need to talk to their doctor about higher or higher doses to protect their body from hepatitis B.
   • The common way of transmission for hepatitis B: having unsafe sex with an infected person; sharing contaminated syringes and needles, sharing intravenous injection equipment; accidentally stabbed by a needle (doctor, nurse, medical staff, ...); a mother with hepatitis B passed to her baby.
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Part 2 of 2: Preventing hepatitis B through lifestyle

1. 

   Have safe sex. Intrusion of body fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluids) during sex is the most common route of hepatitis B transmission among adults. Therefore, you need to be aware of your partner's hepatitis B infection and always wear a condom to prevent the risk of getting hepatitis B. Condoms do not completely eliminate the risk of getting hepatitis B or other infections. a sexually transmitted infection that significantly reduces this risk.
   • Use a new condom (latex or polyurethane) every time you have sex, even if you don't have sex.
   • The HBV virus cannot enter latex or polyurethane condoms, but sometimes condoms can get scratched, torn, or used incorrectly.

2. 

   
   
   Stop injecting drugs. Some illegal drugs, such as herotin, injected with syringes and needles, not only have an adverse effect on the health, but also significantly increase the risk of hepatitis B if they are shared with needles. Promising yourself not to share needles and syringes with other addicts is really not helpful because the discomfort in quitting can lead to frustration and disdain for the addict. Therefore, it is best to stop using drugs and other illegal drugs. If you need help, ask your doctor to recommend detox programs.
   • If you can't quit injecting drugs, keep in mind that rinsing the syringe (even with bleach) doesn't avoid the risk of getting hepatitis B so don't share needles.
   • Other drug items can also be contaminated with HBV blood (eg straws to inhale cocaine) so you must not share them. anything with other drug addicts, even razors and toothbrushes.

3. 

   
   
   Be careful with piercings and tattoos. Piercing and tattoos are not high-risk behaviors for hepatitis B or other infections. However, because the HBV virus is in the bloodstream, you are at risk of infection if the person piercing or tattooing you does not disinfect your device properly, do not use disposable gloves and / or perform good hygiene. will. Therefore, you should only go to reputable stores and be willing to answer questions about how to reduce the risk of spreading infectious diseases such as hepatitis B.
   • Consider getting a morning piercing or tattooing (so you'll be the first customer of the day) and ask the staff to show you how they disinfect the device.
   • Clearly explain why you are cautious about blood-borne diseases to avoid misunderstanding that you doubt the professionalism of your staff and in fact you just want to raise a sense of hygiene.

4. 

   
   
   Improve immune system. For any infection (viral, bacterial or fungal infection), the real preventive measure is to rely on a healthy immune system. The immune system is made up of specialized cells that look for and attempt to destroy the HBV virus. However, when the immune system weakens and cannot function, HBV will proliferate in the blood and cause inflammation and liver damage. Therefore, focusing on keeping your immune system healthy and working properly is a rational, natural approach to preventing hepatitis B and virtually all other infectious diseases.
   • Getting enough sleep (and getting a good night's sleep), eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, good personal hygiene, drinking lots of purified water and doing regular cardiomyopathy are all proven ways to boost immune function. .
   • Your immune response will also get better when you cut down on refined sugars (sodas, candies, ice cream, most baked goods), cut down on alcohol, and quit.
   • Immune-boosting supplements include vitamins A, C, D, zinc, selenium, Echinacea, olive leaf extract and rhubarb root.

5. 

   Get an HBIG injection. If you have not received the HBV vaccine and are concerned that you may have been exposed to the virus (eg, having a needle or having unprotected sex), talk to your doctor about the injection. one dose of HBIG (Hepatitis B Immune Globulin) (HBIG) for prevention of hepatitis B infection. HBIG vaccine is recommended after exposure to HBV virus (preferably within 24 hours) because of the vaccine. helps prevent viral proliferation, protects the body from hepatitis B in a short and immediate way.
   • In addition to HBIG injection, one dose of HBV vaccine can also be given at the same time to people who have not previously been vaccinated.
   • HBIG injection does not guarantee protection against HBV infection and the vaccine also becomes much less effective if given 24 hours after exposure to the virus.
   • Infants born to mothers with hepatitis B need to be vaccinated with HBV and HBIG.
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Advice

• Acute hepatitis B usually resolves on its own after a few weeks and usually doesn't require medical treatment.
• There is no medical way to prevent acute hepatitis from developing into a chronic one. Therefore, you need to strengthen a healthy immune system.
• Chronic hepatitis B can lead to serious complications, including scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), liver cancer, and liver failure.

Warning

• Without the vaccine, babies born to mothers with hepatitis B can develop chronic hepatitis and serious health problems.