Although a vaccine has been available for a long time to prevent this disease, But there are still many patients with this disease found. The main reason why patients do not come to receive the vaccine In addition to insufficient funds It is also a matter of not seeing the importance of vaccines. The dangers of this disease are unknown. Therefore, we may ignore this disease without realizing it.
Even though it is a disease that is very familiar among Thai people. But it is surprising that there are still misconceptions. There is a lot about this disease. This causes many people to miss the opportunity to receive treatment until they are completely cured. Or it may be so severe that it cannot be treated. In fact, this disease is not that scary.
Hepatitis B virus It can be considered one of the most popular infectious diseases that lurk in our society. Because if you get infected, it’s difficult to get rid of it. In addition, people infected with hepatitis B often do not show symptoms, so many people neglect to take care of themselves and do not get vaccinated, even though we are the thing that can effectively protect us from this terrible disease.
What is hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B Or in some places it may be called Hepatitis B It is a disease caused by infection with the hepatitis B virus. This virus will destroy the liver. As well as causing liver cancer , most of the people infected do not know that they have the virus in their body. Infections can be found in many countries. It is also often an infection passed from mother to child during birth.
Hepatitis B virus How can we contact each other?
- Infection occurs from mother to child. In most cases, infections were found most frequently during childbirth.
- A sexually transmitted infection has occurred. This method of contracting this virus is easier than contracting the HIV virus.
- A blood infection occurred. This may be the use of sharp objects that are contaminated with blood. There is sharing of injection needles, acupuncture, and tattooing on the body. or even unclean ear piercings
In addition, there has been no discovery of the possibility of infection through other routes, such as eating together. or working together in a normal manner that facilitates the opportunity for infection to spread
Symptoms of hepatitis B
More than 90% of people with hepatitis B are cured within 10 weeks, after which liver function returns to normal and immunity to the disease develops. which those who undergo the examination Even with normal liver function But HbAg+ can still be found even if the patient has been cured of hepatitis B. But they can still transmit the virus to others and are called carriers.
The number of patients who cannot be cured of this disease on their own is 5 – 10%. The symptom found is chronic hepatitis. Patients in this ทางเข้า ufabet group, when their blood is drawn, abnormal liver function will be found for at least 6 months and infections are constantly being detected. which will have periodic symptoms of inflammation In some cases, they develop cirrhosis of the liver and some even develop liver cancer.
I repeat! Even though there are no symptoms But there is a chance of having hepatitis B. When there are no symptoms It made me think that there might not be any germs embedded in the body. Sometimes it can spread the virus to others without realizing it. Therefore, before getting married or having sex, you should get tested for this disease first.
How do we know if we ourselves have hepatitis B and are a carrier of this disease?
If we ourselves have never had any symptoms that was indicated before We may travel to the doctor to request a blood test. The doctor will check your liver function. and also check for hepatitis B virus If the patient has hepatitis B virus and has hepatitis. It is probably a symptom of chronic hepatitis. But if you want to have confidence The doctor will make an appointment for the patient to come back for another blood test after 6 months if the infection is still found and hepatitis is still present.
This indicates that the patient has chronic liver disease caused by the B virus. But if blood is drawn and there is hepatitis B virus But hepatitis was not found. We may just be carriers of this disease. 6 months later, when the blood was drawn, the same infection was still found. But hepatitis was not found. It indicates that the patient is a carrier of the hepatitis B virus.
Patients with jaundice Most of these patients will go to the doctor to be diagnosed with hepatitis B or not through testing and drawing blood.
Treatment when known to be a carrier of the hepatitis B virus
Currently, people who know that they are a carrier of the hepatitis B virus but do not have liver inflammation There is no need to receive treatment. But people with chronic hepatitis caused by hepatitis B can take medication to treat it. There are 2 groups of drugs currently used by doctors:
- Pegylated interferon injections work to stimulate immunity and control viral load.
- Oral antiviral medicine It acts to suppress the creation of viruses. Reducing inflammation of the liver. The doctor will be the judge in choosing medicine for each patient as appropriate.
What are the benefits of treating chronic hepatitis B?
Of course, once hepatitis B is detected, going to the doctor immediately for treatment will help reduce the amount of the virus. Reduce liver inflammation Reduce fibrosis and scarring in the liver Improves liver function Reduce the risk of liver failure and liver cancer.
5 things that are often misunderstood about “Hepatitis B virus”
1. Hepatitis B virus There is no cure?
There are many types of medicines available for hepatitis B at present, both oral and injectable medicines. Doctors will choose to use them according to the suitability of each person. Even though you may have to take medicine continuously for a long time. Or you may take medicine for the rest of your life. But the virus can be controlled so that it does not increase. calm the symptoms and cannot spread In the future, there are drugs that are being researched. Can kill viruses hidden in the liver. which gives a chance to be completely cured
2. Just a carrier of the hepatitis B virus. No need to be examined Or can it be treated?
All hep B patients, regardless of type, such as those with chronic hepatitis or carriers, must be monitored regularly and, in some cases, may require medication. You must take medicine regularly as well. Depends on the doctor’s consideration.
3. Medicine to control the hepatitis B virus. You can take it sometimes and stop sometimes. Is that okay?
This is because current medicines are medicines that prevent viruses from replicating. calm the virus But when stopping the medicine The virus may replicate. and eventually cause the disease to worsen. There may still be a risk of liver cirrhosis. and liver cancer in the future
4. Hepatitis B virus Do you have to take medicine alone?
As said Medicines for controlling the virus include oral medicine and injections, but it does not mean that everyone must receive the medicine. Because hepatitis is both chronic and (which requires taking medicine all the time) and acute which can heal on its own without requesting treatment 80-90%
5. Is the Hepatitis B vaccine expensive and must you be revaccinated regularly?
In general, Price of hepatitis B vaccine It will be 200-300 baht per injection. You must inject 3 injections. When both injections are completed, then space out for a while. If a blood test reveals that you have immunity You will have immunity for the rest of your life. But there will be a small portion where immunity cannot be detected. May need to be re-injected
Nowadays, hepatitis B is not a terrible disease. We already have medicines that can help control symptoms forever. And if you keep checking your body. Normal liver values may be found. However, ignoring this disease Do not receive serious treatment As a result, patients with cirrhosis were found. and a large number of liver cancers from the spread of the hepatitis B virus.
So I want you to love your body a little more. Because coming to see the doctor in the last stage It would be a tragedy that the doctors would not be able to help. Although there is a simple cure Just take the medicine.