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Hepatitis B
The liver is located on the right side of the abdomen, just below the lower ribs. The liver is primarily responsible for filtering most of the nutrients that are absorbed in the intestines, as well as removing drugs, alcohol and other harmful substances from the bloodstream. The liver also produces bile, a greenish fluid stored in the gallbladder that helps digest fats. In addition, the liver also produces cholesterol, blood-clotting factors and other proteins.The liver is able to regenerate or repair up to two-thirds of injured tissue, including hepatocytes, biliary epithelial cells and endothelial cells. Healthy cells take over the function of damaged cells, either indefinitely or until the damage is repaired.
The Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes a serious liver infection. The infection can become chronic in some people and lead to liver failure, liver cancer, cirrhosis (a condition that causes permanent scarring and damage to the liver) or death.
The hepatitis B virus is transmitted through contact with bodily fluids, such as blood and semen, of someone who is infected. Even though HBV is transmitted the same way as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS, HBV is nearly 100 times as infectious as HIV. Individuals of any age, race, nationality, gender or sexual orientation can become infected with HBV. Also, women who have HBV can transmit the infection to their babies during childbirth. When the infection is passed from mother to fetus, it is called vertical transmission.
Certain individuals have an increased risk of developing the disease. Individuals who are more likely to become infected with HBV are those who use intravenous (IV) drugs, have unprotected sex and are born in or travel to parts of the world where hepatitis B is prevalent (like sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, the Amazon Basin, the Pacific Islands and the Middle East).
Most people who become infected as adults recover completely from HBV, even if their symptoms are severe. However, infants and children are more likely to develop chronic, long-term infections.
While there is no cure for HBV, the hepatitis B vaccine can prevent the disease. Also, infected individuals can take precautions to help prevent HBV from spreading to others by getting testing for the virus, using protection during sexual contact and not sharing needles.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 1.25 million Americans have chronic hepatitis. About 20-30% of hepatitis patients acquired their infection during childhood. The incidence per year has declined from an average of 260,000 in the 1980s to about 60,000 in 2004. The most significant decline has occurred among children and adolescents as a result of the routine hepatitis B vaccination.
Related Terms
Acute liver disease, acute liver failure, acute hepatitis, AIDS, antibodies, anti-HBc, anti-HBs, biliary epithelial cells, blood test, chronic hepatitis, chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, delta virus, E-antigen test, endothelial cells, fulminant hepatic failure, HbsAg, HCC, HDV, hepatic failure, hepatitis, hepatitis A, hepatitis B core antigen, hepatitis B surface antigens, hepatitis C, hepatitis D, hepatitis E, hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis D, hepatitis viral infection, hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatocytes, hepatoprotection, HIV, infection, liver, liver cancer, liver cirrhosis, liver disease, liver failure, liver inflammation, liver regeneration, sexually transmitted disease, STD, viral hepatitis, viral infection, viral hepatitis type B, virus.
Natural Standard Bottom Line Monograph, Copyright © 2009 (www.naturalstandard.com). Commercial distribution prohibited. This monograph is intendedfor informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. You should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.
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