Everything about the Hepatitis B and HBV Test

 

Widely known as HBV, hepatitis B is an infection that inflames the liver. A combination of many infections, including hepatitis A, B, and C, leads to HBV.You can contract this virus when you come in contact with infected body fluids like saliva, vaginal fluid, blood and semen.

Different phases of hepatitis B infection

This viral infection is noticed in two different phases, as follows:

Acute hepatitis B

This is the early stage of the infection - when you first contract the disease. The acute form of hepatitis B is observed in the first 6 months of contracting the infection. Upon contracting this virus, many patients may be asymptomatic (show no symptoms) during their test. But when acute hepatitis B happens, flu-like symptoms, including the following may show up:

·         Jaundice (yellow discolouration of the eyes and skin)

·         Fever and fatigue that may not disappear for weeks or months

·         Nausea

·         Pain in the abdomen

·         Loss of appetite

Should you be experiencing any of these symptoms, please see your doctor or contact us today to book an appointment for a diagnosis. This is very important to prevent the development of the chronic phase of this infection.

Chronic hepatitis B

From studies, children may likely develop chronic hepatitis B from the acute stage more than adults in the early stage of having this disease.

After 6 months, someone with an acute hepatitis B infection may transit to the chronic level. A lot of patients having chronic hepatitis B may not display symptoms until 25 to 30 years time. But when the symptoms do show up, they are sometimes very serious and may bring about cirrhosis, damage to the liver, and liver failure. Based on this, it is recommended you get tested for HBV as quickly as possible.

Testing for HBV

Using a blood test, the two phases of hepatitis B are sometimes diagnosed. It is recommended that you get screened within 6 months of having unsafe sex.

Screening for hepatitis B may be performed via the following:

·         Blood test:Should your doctor think you have hepatitis B, they may do a blood test to see if there is a liver inflammation. The blood test will identify antigens and antibodies production as a reaction to the virus.The result from the test may show an active case recently exposed to the virus in the past, or who was vaccinated against the infection and has immunity. The incubation period for hepatitis B may take a long time, which is why we advise you to get screened at least 6 months after having unsafe sex. This will make the diagnosis more precise.

·         DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR):Cases of patients having chronic liver problems from undetected sources may not be clearly diagnosed with a blood test for hepatitis B. When this happens, we sometimes recommend viral DNA testing for patients. Occasionally, the DNA testing for this virus may come in handy for checking the progress of the infection.

Whattreatment is available for hepatitis B?

This infection typically has no cure. But hepatitis B-infected persons will get better naturally after 1 year of having the infection. The following treatments may be administered to patients:

·         Enough rest

·         Consumption of more fluids and highly nutritious diets

·         Effective monitoring of the general health condition of the patient

All of this may be used to help infected persons recover from the infection.

Is there prevention for hepatitis B?

Yes. Hepatitis B vaccines may be given to patients usually before exposure to the virus. This proves to be the most suitable method of keeping this infection at bay.

Who should screen you for hepatitis B?

A fully-trained, qualified, and licensed medical sexual health practitioner should be consulted when seeking for hepatitis B test. This is because of the longer period of incubation exhibited by this infection. Without proper diagnosis, you may not even know you have acute hepatitis and when it gets to the chronic stage. So, to avoid severe symptoms that will cause pains and discomfort, get help from experts like us.

At the Sexual Health Clinic London, we offer very good screening for hepatitis B and other related STIs. This is made possible by the team of sexual health experts available at our clinic who knows their job very well. We ensure every patient is thoroughly diagnosed and given the right treatment. What are you still waiting for? Get tested right away if you've been exposed via unprotected sex lately. Do contact us today to book an appointment. We are waiting.