Essay On Hepatitis B

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Recommended: Hepatitis

Author ID: 4042 Word Count: 925
Proposed species: Hepatitis B Proposed action: Eradication

What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a viral infection transmitted by humans that affects the Liver. There are two types of Hepatitis B: acute and chronic. Acute hepatitis B is short term and only lasts for a short amount of time. Chronic hepatitis B is long term and is a lifelong illness.
This disease is passed from an infected person to an uninfected person through exchange of bodily fluids such as blood or semen (or other). Symptoms include tiredness, aches, nausea & vomiting, loss of appetite, darkening of urine, tenderness in the stomach, or yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice) (HEP-B). With acute HBV, the symptoms may appear 1 to 6 months after being exposed to it. With chronic HBV, the symptoms may take up to 30 years to appear after being exposed. Although some may experience these symptoms, many people (mostly adults) with chronic HBV do not experience the symptoms. The most common way of way of transmission of this disease is through sexual intercourse. By sexual intercourse, I mean any type of sex like vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Another way of transmission, although not as common in the United States (however the most common around the world), is through childbirth where the mother transmits it to the child. This is if the child doesn’t get the necessary vaccinations when supposed to. If a mother who is infected with the disease gives birth, the child is at high risk of developing chronic HBV if they don’t get the necessary immunizations at birth (including HBV vaccination). If the infant does not get the necessary immunizations, it can cause chronic liver disease and chronic HBV, which is persisten...

... middle of paper ...

... to four of the vaccine will be protected from hepatitis B.
“According to WHO, their response says:
WHO is working in the following areas to prevent and control viral hepatitis:
• raising awareness, promoting partnerships and mobilizing resources;
• formulating evidence-based policy and data for action;
• preventing of transmission; and
• executing screening, care and treatment. [1]
WHO also organizes World Hepatitis Day on July 28 every year to increase awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis.” (Hepatitis B.)

References
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 09 June 2009. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.
• "HEP-B." It's Your Sex Life I Where Music Artists and Celebrities Meet to Spread the Word about Making Smart Sexual Health Decisions. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.
• "Hepatitis B." WHO. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.

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