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Common Diseases > Hepatitis B
Hepatitis
B is a highly contagious virus that
attacks the liver which in recent
years has been on the increase as the primary transmission is from unsafe sex
and the sharing of needles by drug users. In
mild cases, you may never know you
have it, and it may be gone in six
months and as . But some people become
carriers for the rest of their lives,
infecting others in their community while others go on to have chronic liver
disease.
Signs and symptoms of Hepatitis B can be very unnoticeable and if you feel you
are at risk, see a doctor now. If you
become a carrier, you may develop
cirrhosis of the
liver, or liver cancer. Your chances
of getting liver cancer are up to 300
times higher if you are a hepatitis B
carrier.
WHY
WORRY ABOUT HEPATITIS B WHEN THERE IS
AIDS?
If you have unsafe sex, you are
putting yourself at risk for
hepatitis B, HIV, and all other
sexually transmitted diseases
(STD's). And because hepatitis B is 100
times more infectious than HIV,
your chances of getting hepatitis B
from each unsafe sex act is greater.
Hepatitis B has no cure, although
there is a vaccine to prevent
infection.
HOW
COMMON IS HEPATITIS B?
It is
estimated in the USA that each year
about 240,000 people get hepatitis B.
Or one in 20 will get hepatitis B at
some time during their life.
WHO
GETS HEPATITIS B?
Anyone
can get hepatitis B, but your risk is
increased if you:
- Are sexually active
- Have unsafe sex
- Have more than one sex partner
- Have another STD
- Share needles
- Work in health care
- Live with someone who has hepatitis B
- Are a native of or spend time in
areas where hepatitis B is
widespread. These areas
include Alaska, the Pacific
Islands, Africa, Asia, parts
of the Middle East, and the
Amazon region of South
America.
HOW
DO YOU GET HEPATITIS B?
You
can get hepatitis B from:
- having
unsafe sex or from contact
with infected blood or body
fluids.
- From
sex - Hepatitis B is found in
infected semen, vaginal
fluids, and saliva. You can
get hepatitis B from vaginal,
oral, or anal sex.
- If
your partner has hepatitis B,
you may get it also. Having
intercourse without a condom
or oral sex without a
moisture barrier increases
your risk. If you have had
more than one partner, you
have a greater chance of
getting infected.
- From
blood - You may get hepatitis
B if you are exposed to an
infected person's blood.
- The
virus can get into the body
through cuts, open sores, or
other moist openings like the
mouth or the vagina.
- Though
very rare, it is possible to
get the virus through
transfusions of infected
blood or blood products.
- Sharing
personal items such as razors
or toothbrushes.
- Sharing
food utensils
- Sharing
any type of needle, including
needles for steroid shots,
tattooing, or ear piercing.
WHAT
ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Symptoms
of hepatitis B may be like those of a
stomach virus. Tiredness, nausea,
dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of
the eyes and skin), discomfort in the
liver.
Many
people with hepatitis B have no
symptoms. They don't know they have
it unless they get a blood test. But
even with no symptoms, they can still
become carriers. Others become very
sick and cannot work for weeks or
months.
WHAT
IS THE TREATMENT?
In
Modern Medicine there is no cure.
Natural
treatments include:
- Rest
- A liver cleansing diet, there are many good books on this.
- Avoidance of alcohol
- Eating a low protein, low fat diet in order to rest the liver
and enable it to heal.
- Naturopaths
can prescribe herbs and
dietary supplements to assist
recovery.
VACCINATION
This
is a preventative treatment that you
may have if you are at risk. i.e. if
your sex partner or a member of your
household has hepatitis B. Or you are
going into a high risk environment.
Vaccination
is considered by the Natural Health
Community to be damaging to the
natural defences of the body which
results in weakening the immune
system which makes the body more
vulnerable to other diseases
WHAT
IF I'M PREGNANT?
If you
have hepatitis B and become pregnant,
your baby may get the virus. Talk to
your naturopath or doctor.
HOW
CAN I PROTECT MYSELF?
- Keep your body healthy
- Avoid
doing the things which cause
transmission of infection.
- Practice
safe sex
- Get vaccinated. The hepatitis B vaccine may protect you.
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