HEPATITIS B DOMINANCE

Based on 2024–2026 WHO updates, 254 million people live with chronic Hepatitis B (2022 data), causing 1.1 million annual deaths. 

Comparing this data to the most feared virus dominating human world, Roughly 257–350 million people live with chronic HBV globally, compared to about 36–39 million living with HIV

I wonder if hepatitis B is not a bioterrorism agent; unfortunately, it isn’t. Then what is hepatitis B?

 

What is hepatitis B? 

Hepatitis B Virus is classified as a hepadnavirus 

The most clinically prevalent in its family.

Over 600,000 deaths in a year are attributed to HBV-related virus disease and hepatocellular carcinoma; cancer of the liver. 

Most of the individuals infected as infants develop chronic infection and they have the least chances of survival. Transmission has been reported to be through an infected mother to her newborn during delivery and from an infected household contact to an infant. 

Myths concerning Hepatitis B virus 

AI continue to face series of question beyond its own knowledge about the dynamics and complexity of this virus 

The algorithm continue to rise but the true mechanism haven’t been revealed 

Questions like 

_Can I get Hepatitis B or C from hugging, kissing, or sharing a meal with an infected person?_

“They are blood-borne (and in the case of Hep B, also found in other bodily fluids like semen). You cannot catch them from sneezing, coughing, breastfeeding, or sharing a toilet seat.”

This is the response of AI 

Reality hits harder; according to “Jawertz, Melnick and Adelberg’s” context. Hepatitis B virus possess an antigen_HBsAg_ 

HBsAg is a major arsenal amidst many Hepatitis Virus uses to invade its host.

Its dominance lies solely on how this antigen can invade the immune system. This has been detected in saliva, nasopharyngeal washings, semen, menstrual fluid and vaginal secretion. 

_Is Hepatitis only a "lifestyle disease" for people who use drugs or have unprotected sex?_

Well, it’s not a lifestyle disease…

While it’s accounted to be among the risk factors, health care personnel faces the cruelty of it all_ nurses, doctors,hospital cleaners, laboratory technicians even blood bank personnel have a higher chances of contacting hepatitis B than its occurrence in non-occupational exposure cases 

The transmission of mother to child remains a global concern.

_If I feel fine and don't have yellow eyes (jaundice), I don't have Hepatitis?_

 Hepatitis might not manifest with symptoms for years. Many people living with chronic Hepatitis B or C have no symptoms until significant liver damage (like cirrhosis or liver cancer) has already occurred. This is why screening is vital regardless of how you feel.  

What are the signs of hepatitis B ?

Tiredness 

fever

nausea

Yellowing of the eye

dark urine

abdominal disorder

dark stool

Other signs are; Joint pains, swollen lymph node, liver cancer, liver failure, edema(you observe your legs are getting swollen) 

This keeps going on and on, a sign of how dominating and deadly this virus is. The beauty of it lies in its structural and molecular properties 

Can hepatitis B be cured ?

Hepatitis can not be cured but the expert in this sector never relent

Sad to say,there is no specific treatment for acute hepatitis meanwhile chronic hepatitis B can be treated with antiviral medications. 

Care for people with acute hepatitis B should focus on managing symptoms. 

*By eating a lot of healthy diet 

*Taking plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration from vomiting and diarrhoea. 

The Chronic hepatitis B infection can be treated with oral medicines, including tenofovir or entecavir. 

How can I convert hepatitis B from positive to negative?

Hepatitis B pose a very serious threat to human kind nevertheless, we are working towards living in harmony with these tiny creatures just like the way we live with our pets

This can be achieved by constant medication.The most important thing is to reduce its viral load

• slow the advance of cirrhosis
• reduce cases of liver cancer
• improve long term survival.

What next if I’m positive? 

The beauty of this article lies in this reality, after your status

Go to the nearest medical facility for medical confirmation 

Start antiviral medications immediately

Hepatitis B vaccine

According to the national institute, B vaccination is highly effective, with 90-95% of individuals developing protective antibodies, providing 72% protection against liver cancer-related mortality. Global 3-dose coverage among infants is around 84%. Vaccination reduced global chronic HBV infection prevalence in children under 5 from 4.7% to 1.3%.

Vaccine is highly recommended and it provides the best discovered protection as of 2026…. 

Stay informed.