What is the agent for hepatitis?
hepatitis B, infectious disease of the liver, the causative agent of which is known as hepatitis B virus (HBV). The course and severity of illness associated with HBV infection varies widely. Some persons are asymptomatic, for example, whereas others experience acute illness and eliminate the virus from the body.
What is the causing agent of hepatitis?
Viral hepatitis is the most common type. It is caused by one of several viruses — hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D, and E. In the United States, A, B, and C are the most common. Alcoholic hepatitis is caused by heavy alcohol use. Toxic hepatitis can be caused by certain poisons, chemicals, medicines, or supplements.
What are the main causes of hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluids from a person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. This can happen through sexual contact; sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment; or from mother to baby at birth.
What are the environmental factors for hepatitis B?
Environmental factors are clearly implicated in HBV pathogenesis. Alcohol and aflatoxin are two important factors that affect the progression of chronic hepatitis B. Alcohol consumption increases the severity of liver disease [24, 25] and increases the risk of developing liver decompensation from cirrhosis [26].
What is Delta agent in Hep B?
The delta agent seems to be a defective RNA virus which is dependent on a helper function provided by hepatitis B-virus. Delta agent infection occurs by parenteral transmission either together with hepatitis B-virus, or superimposed on chronic HBV infection.
What is the most common cause of hepatitis?
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Alcohol consumption, several health conditions, and some medications can all cause this condition. However, viral infections are the most common cause of hepatitis.
Is hepatitis B caused by alcohol?
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver that leads to liver cell damage and cell death. Alcoholic hepatitis is caused by drinking too much alcohol. The liver breaks down alcohol and if, over time, you drink more alcohol than the liver can process, it can become seriously damaged.
What is hepatitis B causes and treatment?
Hepatitis B infection is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The virus is passed from person to person through blood, semen or other body fluids. It does not spread by sneezing or coughing. Common ways that HBV can spread are: Sexual contact.
What are the risk factors for hepatitis B and C?
The important risk factors, responsible for the high prevalence of hepatitis B and C in our society are household contact, history of dental work, history of surgery, sexual contact, and history of transfusion (blood and its components).
What are the risk factors for contracting hepatitis?
Your risk of hepatitis B infection increases if you:
- Have unprotected sex with multiple sex partners or with someone who’s infected with HBV.
- Share needles during IV drug use.
- Are a man who has sex with other men.
- Live with someone who has a chronic HBV infection.
- Are an infant born to an infected mother.
What are the agents of Delta?
Hepatitis D is a viral infection caused by the hepatitis D virus (previously called the Delta agent). It causes symptoms only in people who also have hepatitis B infection.
What is the meaning of HBeAg?
HBeAg is the “soluble” or extractable part of the “core” antigen of the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The presence of HBeAg indicates that the virus is actively multiplying and is highly contagious. HBeAg appears in the blood shortly after HBsAg.
Can I get hepatitis B from kissing?
Hepatitis B is not spread through sneezing, coughing, hugging, or breastfeeding. Although the virus can be found in saliva, it is not believed to be spread through kissing or sharing utensils.
Is Hep B transmitted through urine?
Hepatitis B is spread through sexual contact (homosexual and heterosexual), needle sharing, needle stick injury, mucous membrane exposure, and direct contact with infected body fluids. There appears to be no transmission of Hepatitis B via tears, sweat, urine, and stool or droplet nuclei (airborne).
How does alcohol cause hepatitis?
What causes alcoholic hepatitis? When alcohol gets processed in the liver, it produces highly toxic chemicals. These chemicals can injure the liver cells. This injury can lead to inflammation and, eventually, alcoholic hepatitis.
How can you contract hepatitis B?
The hepatitis B virus can be spread in the following ways: unprotected vaginal or anal sex. living in a household with a person with chronic (life-long) HBV infection. sharing personal care items such as toothbrushes, razors, or nail clippers.
What are the risk factors for hepatitis B?
Risk factors Hepatitis B spreads through contact with blood, semen or other body fluids from an infected person. Your risk of hepatitis B infection increases if you: Have unprotected sex with multiple sex partners or with someone who’s infected with HBV
What is the pathogenesis of hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B is transmitted when blood, semen, or another body fluid from a person infected with the hepatitis B virus enters the body of someone who is not infected.
How do you get Hepatitis B?
Sharing of needles. HBV easily spreads through needles and syringes contaminated with infected blood. Sharing IV drug paraphernalia puts you at high risk of hepatitis B. Accidental needle sticks. Hepatitis B is a concern for health care workers and anyone else who comes in contact with human blood. Mother to child.
What is the abbreviation for hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B Information. Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B is transmitted when blood, semen, or another body fluid from a person infected with the hepatitis B virus enters the body of someone who is not infected.