Hepatitis B Research Paper
Hepatitis B the Silent Killer
M. D. Leslie
Grand Canyon University: NRS-427V-0101
August 30, 2014
Hepatitis B the Silent Killer
Hepatitis B is one of the most serious communicable diseases. This disease attacks the liver one of our major organs of the body.” The virus, which is called hepatitis B virus (HBV), can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death.” (Hepatitis B Vaccination, 2014)Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. The Hepatitis B infection is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). There are different types of Hepatitis, A, B, C, D, and E.These viral infections causes 78% of liver cancers and HBV alone infects an one in three worldwide. (Global Health Topics Communicable …show more content…
Persons that are 5 years old and greater have signs and symptoms 30-50% of the time, whereas most children less than 5 and newly infected immunosuppressed adults are asymptomatic. There is a period of 6 weeks to 6 months before a person can have symptoms. Symptoms began an average of 90 days after exposure. It is incredible that HBV can last outside the body for at least 7 days and still be able to infect a person. The signs and symptoms for HBV are: fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements, joint pain, and …show more content…
Antiviral medications are recommended for chronic cases, if the virus is replicating. Some of these medicines are: Interferons and Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). As with any medication there are side effects. Interferons side effects include from a fever to loss of hair. Preventive vaccinations are given in a series of 3 intramuscular injections at least 8 weeks apart. Those that are recommended that should receive this vaccination are: healthcare workers, HIV testing and treatment facilities, facilities treating drug abuse and prevention, correctional institutions, and chronic hemodialysis centers and end-stage renal disease programs for example. Postvaccination can be done 1-2 months after the completion of the vaccine. This vaccine has been available since 1982. This vaccine has an efficacy of 95% in prevention and chronic consequences. HBV vaccine was also one of the first vaccines against a major human cancer. (Hepatitis B FAQs for Health Professionals , 2014)
HBV in the U.S. On a global level there is an astounding 240 million with chronic HBV. Yearly an estimated 786,000 die from this infection worldwide. These statistics show how HBV causes a high mortality and morbidity worldwide. According to the CDC, the state of Georgia incidence of acute HBV from 2008-2012 of reported cases has declined from 187 to 109, with Florida reporting 247 the most of states
M. D. Leslie
Grand Canyon University: NRS-427V-0101
August 30, 2014
Hepatitis B the Silent Killer
Hepatitis B is one of the most serious communicable diseases. This disease attacks the liver one of our major organs of the body.” The virus, which is called hepatitis B virus (HBV), can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death.” (Hepatitis B Vaccination, 2014)Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. The Hepatitis B infection is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). There are different types of Hepatitis, A, B, C, D, and E.These viral infections causes 78% of liver cancers and HBV alone infects an one in three worldwide. (Global Health Topics Communicable …show more content…
Persons that are 5 years old and greater have signs and symptoms 30-50% of the time, whereas most children less than 5 and newly infected immunosuppressed adults are asymptomatic. There is a period of 6 weeks to 6 months before a person can have symptoms. Symptoms began an average of 90 days after exposure. It is incredible that HBV can last outside the body for at least 7 days and still be able to infect a person. The signs and symptoms for HBV are: fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements, joint pain, and …show more content…
Antiviral medications are recommended for chronic cases, if the virus is replicating. Some of these medicines are: Interferons and Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). As with any medication there are side effects. Interferons side effects include from a fever to loss of hair. Preventive vaccinations are given in a series of 3 intramuscular injections at least 8 weeks apart. Those that are recommended that should receive this vaccination are: healthcare workers, HIV testing and treatment facilities, facilities treating drug abuse and prevention, correctional institutions, and chronic hemodialysis centers and end-stage renal disease programs for example. Postvaccination can be done 1-2 months after the completion of the vaccine. This vaccine has been available since 1982. This vaccine has an efficacy of 95% in prevention and chronic consequences. HBV vaccine was also one of the first vaccines against a major human cancer. (Hepatitis B FAQs for Health Professionals , 2014)
HBV in the U.S. On a global level there is an astounding 240 million with chronic HBV. Yearly an estimated 786,000 die from this infection worldwide. These statistics show how HBV causes a high mortality and morbidity worldwide. According to the CDC, the state of Georgia incidence of acute HBV from 2008-2012 of reported cases has declined from 187 to 109, with Florida reporting 247 the most of states