Although a vaccine for this disease has been released for a long time. but still found many patients with this disease The main reasons why patients do not get vaccinated In addition to insufficient capital It’s also a matter of ignoring the importance of vaccines. The dangers of this disease are unknown. As a result, we may ignore this disease without knowing it.
Although it is a disease that is well known among Thai people. But surprisingly, there are still misconceptions. about this disease which makes many people lose the opportunity to receive treatment until completely cured or it may be so severe that it cannot be treated In fact, this disease is not that scary.
Hepatitis B It is regarded as one of the most popular infectious diseases that are hidden in our society. Because if it gets stuck, it’s difficult to be cured. In addition, people infected with hepatitis B often do not show symptoms, so many people neglect to take care of themselves and not get vaccinated to prevent it, although we are something that will help prevent this disease effectively.
What is hepatitis B virus?
Hepatitis B or in some places may be called Hepatitis B. It is a disease caused by infection with the hepatitis B virus. The virus that will destroy the liver. As well as causing liver cancer , most of the infected people are often unaware that the virus is present in their body. Infection can be found in many countries. It is also often a mother-to-child infection during childbirth.
Hepatitis B How can I contact you?
- Infection from mother to child In most cases, infection is most often found during childbirth.
- sexually transmitted infection The way to get infected with this virus is easier than getting infected with the HIV virus.
- Blood infection This may be the use of sharp objects that are stained with ทางเข้า ufabet blood. Sharing needles, acupuncture, tattooing or even an unclean ear piercing
In addition, the chances of infection from other means, such as sharing meals, have not been found. or working together in a normal manner that facilitates the transmission of the infection
Symptoms of hepatitis B
More than 90% of hepatitis B patients will be cured of their symptoms within 10 weeks. Then liver function returns to normal and immune to the disease. Which the person who was examined. Even with normal liver function But HbAg+ can still be found even after the patient has been cured of hepatitis B. But it can also be transmitted to other people, called carriers.
The number of patients who cannot be cured of this disease by themselves is 5-10%. The symptoms found are chronic hepatitis. Patients in this group, when blood is drawn, abnormal liver function is observed for at least 6 months and infection is always detected. Which will have symptoms of inflammation from time to time. In some cases, there is cirrhosis of the liver and in some cases even liver cancer.
I repeat! Even if there are no indications But there is a chance that hepatitis B is still possible. when there are no indications It makes me think that there is no infection embedded in the body. Sometimes it may infect others without knowing it, so before marriage or having sex, you should get tested for this disease well first.
How do we know if we have hepatitis B and are carriers of it?
If we ourselves have never had any symptoms. that have been told before We may travel to the doctor to request a blood test. in which the doctor will check liver function and also check for hepatitis B virus if the patient has hepatitis B and hepatitis It seems to be a symptom of chronic hepatitis. But if you want to be confident. 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 type B virus. But if the blood is drawn and there is hepatitis B virus but hepatitis was not found. We may be just carriers of this disease, and 6 months later, when the blood is drawn, the infection is still found. But hepatitis was not found It indicates that the patient is a carrier of hepatitis B virus.
Patients with jaundice Most of these patients will go to the doctor to diagnose whether hepatitis B virus or not by testing and taking blood.
Treatment for known hepatitis B carriers
At present, people who are known to be carriers of hepatitis B virus but do not have liver inflammation. There is no need for treatment yet. But people with chronic hepatitis caused by hepatitis B can be treated with medication. The drugs currently used by doctors are divided into 2 groups:
- Pegylated interferon injections act to boost immunity and control viral load.
- oral antiviral drug Keep doing the job of suppressing the creation of the virus. Causing the inflammation of the liver to decrease, however, the doctor will be the one who makes the diagnosis in selecting drugs for each patient as appropriate.
What are the benefits of treating chronic hepatitis B?
Of course, once the hepatitis B virus is detected, hurried to see a doctor for treatment will help reduce the amount of the virus. reduce liver inflammation Reduce fibrosis and liver lesions improve liver function Reduce the risk of liver failure and liver cancer.
5 things that are often misunderstood “Hepatitis B virus”
1. Hepatitis B virus There is no cure?
Currently, there are many types of drugs for hepatitis B, including oral and injectable drugs. The doctor will choose according to the suitability of each individual. Although may have to take medicine in a row for a long time. Or maybe take medicine for the rest of your life. But will be able to control the virus from increasing. calm and not spread In the future, there are drugs being researched. can kill viruses hidden in the liver which makes it possible to be cured
2. It’s just a hepatitis B virus carrier. no need to be examined Or can be treated?
All patients with hepatitis B, regardless of type, such as chronic hepatitis or carrier, must be monitored regularly, and in some individuals, medication may be required. By having to take medicine regularly as well It depends on the doctor’s consideration.
3. Drugs to control hepatitis B. You can take it sometimes and stop it, is that okay?
Because current drugs are drugs that prevent the virus from reproducing. calm the virus but when stopping the drug The virus may reproduce. and eventually cause the disease to relapse There may still be a risk of cirrhosis. and liver cancer in the future
4. Hepatitis B virus Do you have to take medicine alone?
as said Medications for viral control are both oral and injectable, but it doesn’t mean that everyone has to be treated. because viral hepatitis is both chronic (must take medication all the time) and acute 80-90% of which can disappear on their own without requesting treatment
5. Hepatitis B vaccine is expensive and must be re-injected?
in general Price of hepatitis B vaccine It will be at 200-300 baht per needle, having to inject 3 needles when injecting all 2 needles, then spaced for a while. If the blood test reveals that he has immunity I will have immunity for life. But there will be a small part that can’t detect the immune system. may need to be injected again
Currently, hepatitis B is not a terrible disease. We already have medications that can help keep the symptoms under control forever. and if the physical examination continues Normal liver values may be found. However, ignoring this disease not receiving serious treatment. As a result, patients with cirrhosis were found. and liver cancer from the invasive strains of the hepatitis B virus.
So I want you to love your body a little more. Because coming to the doctor in the last period. It would be sad that the doctor would not be able to help anymore. Although there is a simple cure. just taking medicine