Hepatitis B: Difference between revisions

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(Created page with "Hepatitis B virus is a DNA virus. It can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis. It's usually prevented by a childhood vaccine. Treatment exists for chronic hepatitis B. == Etiology == HBV is very infective, 50 – 100 times more infective than HIV. Like hepatitis C and D, transmission usually occurs due to: * Parenteral ** IV drug users ** Health care personnel * Sexual (esp. men who have sex with men) * Perinatal == Clinical features == Hepatitis B can cause both ac...")
 
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Hepatitis B virus is a DNA virus. It can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis. It's usually prevented by a childhood vaccine. Treatment exists for chronic hepatitis B.
'''Hepatitis B virus''' is a DNA virus. It can cause both acute [[viral hepatitis]] and chronic hepatitis. It's usually prevented by a childhood vaccine. Treatment exists for chronic hepatitis B.


== Etiology ==
== Etiology ==
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* Parenteral
* Parenteral
** IV drug users
** [[IV drug use|IV drug users]]
** Health care personnel
** Health care personnel
* Sexual (esp. men who have sex with men)
* Sexual (esp. men who have sex with men)
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For acute hepatitis, about 30% of persons are asymptomatic. Symptomatic persons generally have jaundice and nonspecific symptoms like fatigue and anorexia.
For acute hepatitis, about 30% of persons are asymptomatic. Symptomatic persons generally have jaundice and nonspecific symptoms like fatigue and anorexia.


Chronic hepatitis occurs more frequently in children than adults. It’s usually asymptomatic, but problematic because it can cause chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Chronic hepatitis occurs more frequently in children than adults. It’s usually asymptomatic, but problematic because it can cause chronic liver disease and [[hepatocellular carcinoma]].


== Microbiology ==
== Microbiology ==
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Acute hepatitis B requires no treatment.
Acute hepatitis B requires no treatment.


Chronic hepatitis B is treated with pegylated interferon or nucleoside analogues like entecavir or tenofovir.
Chronic hepatitis B is treated with pegylated [[interferon]] or [[Nucleoside analogue|nucleoside analogues]] like entecavir or tenofovir.


== Prevention ==
== Prevention ==