FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
OVERVIEW
Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are three types of viral Hepatitis that may have similar symptoms and manifestations but are caused by three different viruses.
Hepatitis A infection is acquired through intake of contaminated food and drink. It is self-limiting and usually resolves without specific treatment. It is an acute infection, meaning it is usually newly occurring and does not become a long term infection where people can become a long term carrier of the infection.
On the other hand, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are infections that can be acquired from infected blood/ body fluids. It can also begin as acute infections, but in some, the virus remains in the body, and there is lifelong infection that may cause complications in the liver namely, liver Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and liver cancer (tumor of the liver).
Hepatitis A and B can be prevented thru effective and safe vaccines. While there is no vaccine for Hepatitis C, its spread can be prevented by avoiding contact with infected blood/body fluids. Although uncommon, it is possible for a person to to have multiple types of viral hepatitis at the same time.
You can find a specialist doctor by clicking on this link.
It depends on the age that one becomes exposed to/infected with the hepatitis B virus. The younger a person is when infected with the hepatitis B virus, the higher the chance that he or she will have chronic infection or life-long infection with the virus.
- 90% of infected infants will develop chronic infection.
- Approximately 25%–50% of children infected between the 1 -5 years of age will develop chronic infection.
- The risk drops to 6%–10% when one is infected over 5 years of age.
In the Philippines and worldwide, most people with chronic hepatitis B acquired the infection at birth or during early childhood.
Hepatitis refers to inflammation or swelling of the cells of the Liver. It has several causes including: heavy alcohol intake, some toxins and drugs, other systemic diseases, and some infections. Of the infectious causes of Hepatitis, viral infections, namely Hepatitis A, B, and C are most common.
EPIDEMIOLOGY
If you believe that you might have been exposed to the virus, see your doctor. Hepatitis B infection can be prevented by getting the hepatitis B vaccine with an additional shot called HBIG (Hepatitis B Immune globulin) within 24 hours of exposure.
No, if you have ever tested positive for the Hepatitis B virus, it is recommend that you should not donate blood, organs, or even semen because this can put the recipient at great risk for getting hepatitis B.
No, if you recover from acute hepatitis B, your immune system can make antibodies that protect you from the virus for life. An antibody is a substance found in the blood made by our immune system upon exposure to a virus. Antibodies can protect us from infection by destroying the virus or rendering it ineffective. Unfortunately, many infected people, especially those who acquire the infection as newborn babies or children, are not able to produce antibodies to clear the virus from their bodies and thus develop chronic infection or carry the virus for life.
Since the Philippines is considered a hyperendemic area for hepatitis B, almost everyone without the antibody or vaccine can become infected. Some people, however are at greater risk, such as the following :
- Infants born to infected mothers
- People who have sex with an infected partner
- People who have multiple sex partners
- People who have a sexually transmitted disease
- Men who have sexual contact with other men
- People who inject drugs or share needles, syringes, or other drug equipment
- People who live in the household of one with chronic Hepatitis B
- Those who work in occupations where they may be exposed to blood and infected body fluids
- Hemodialysis patients
Hepatitis B virus can survive in the environment and cause infection for at least 7 days.
Hepatitis B virus is not spread by sharing utensils, sharing drinks, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, holding hands, coughing, or sneezing.
No. Unlike Hepatitis A, it is not spread routinely through food or water.
Yes. In fact, Hepatitis B is 50–100 times more infectious than HIV and can be passed through the body fluids, such as semen, vaginal fluids, and blood.
Yes, because many of those infected with Hepatitis B have no symptoms. An infected person may appear or feel normal. Even if they have no symptoms, they may spread the infection thru the above-mentioned activities or practices.
Hepatitis B is spread thru blood, semen, or other body fluids with the hepatitis B virus. A person may acquire the infection thru the following activities:
- Birth (spread from a hepatitis B positive mother to her baby)
- Sex with an infected partner
- Sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment with an infected person
- Sharing razors, nail clippers/manicure or pedicure paraphernalia or toothbrushes with an infected person
- Direct contact with the blood or open wounds of an infected person
- Exposure to blood from needlesticks or other sharp instruments
Hepatitis B is a major public health problem in the Philippines. An estimated 7.3 million adult Filipinos (16.7% of the adult population) are chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) making our country hyperenedemic for hepatitis B. This rate is extremely high in comparison to other countries and is more than double the 8% average prevalence of HBV infection in the Western Pacific region. A 2003 survey showed the prevalence of hepatitis B to be highest in the 20-49 year age group, which comprise the workforce or those entering the workforce.
Globally, Hepatitis B affects approximately 350 million people and contributes to an estimated 780,000 deaths worldwide each year.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEPATITIS B
People usually have symptoms for a few weeks, but some people can feel ill for as long as 6 months.
Symptoms can appear 90 days (or 3 months) after exposure, but they can also manifest between 6 weeks and 6 months after exposure.
What are the symptoms of acute hepatitis B infection?
Not everyone develop symptoms after acute Hepatitis B infection. Although majority of adults develop symptoms from acute hepatitis B infection, many young children do not. Adults and children over the age of 5 years are more likely to have symptoms. Seventy percent (70%) of adults will have symptoms from an acute Hepatitis B infection.
Symptoms of acute Hepatitis B infection, if present, can include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Dark urine
- Clay-colored stool
- Joint pains
- Jaundice (yellow color in the skin or the eyes)
