By
Ken S.
Submitted On October 05, 2014
Hepatitis B testing is smart and should be done routinely.
Reports show that over 1 million people in the U.S. have a chronic
infection (that lasts a lifetime). Most do not know it. A lab-based
hepatitis test is the only way to know whether or not a person has been
infected.
WHAT IS HEPATITIS?
This is a common virus that attacks the liver in humans. Acute infections can be overcome and the body fights them without treatment. However, chronic infections can lead to liver cancer and liver failure. Three versions of this virus exist - "A", "B", and "C". Though there is more than one way to come in contact with it, it is considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD). This article discusses the "B" version. (Visit my other articles for more about "A" and "C".)
HEPATITIS B:
Also called HBV, this disease is the most common in adults aged 20-49. It is spread from person to person in bodily fluids such as saliva, blood, fluids coming from open sores, vaginal secretions, and semen. Common ways to come in contact with Hepatitis B are through sexual activities, sexual intercourse, needles (tattoo, medical, or piercing needles), or razors (from people sharing razors).
Since it is considered an STD, anyone who is sexually active is at risk. Even if a person contracted the virus through a needle or a razor, they can spread it to their partner during sexual activities. Using condoms reduces the risk but it does not completely remove it because saliva is transferred from person to person during heavy kissing and it can be transmitted through saliva. The only way to avoid being exposed through sexual contact is by not engaging in any type of sexual activity at all, including kissing. A hepatitis test is the only way to know if a person has it. Engaging sexual activity with a person that has tested negative reduces the risk of transmission in this way.
Often times, people who are infected to not know it because they may not experience any symptoms. However, for those who do have symptoms, they report feeling like they have the flu. This means they feel tired, have a mild fever or headache, lose their appetite, have abdominal pain or diarrhea, and/or feel pain in their joints. Some people may have a light colored stool while others may have yellowish eyes or skin. If yellowing happens it is called jaundice and usually occurs after the other symptoms have disappeared. It is important to get a hepatitis test because it can be spread whether symptoms are present or not.
Adults who have contracted the virus can usually fight it on their own in a couple of months. When this happens, a lifelong immunity is built within their body. Children, on the other hand, have a much higher risk of not being able to fight the infection. The younger the child, the tougher it is for them to fight it. Pregnant mothers can pass it on to their babies so it is important that pregnant women get tested. Anyone (child or adult) whose body cannot fight the infection is said to have chronic hepatitis and should be regularly monitored by a doctor.
It is smart to get hepatitis B testing, especially for those who are sexually active. If results are negative, a vaccine is available to protect people against its effects. Vaccination is a smart choice because there is no cure. If a person did not get a vaccine and their body cannot fight it they will likely have chronic liver disease. For positive results, an antiviral treatment may be given with early diagnosis. This could help fight the disease and prevent future symptoms.
WHAT IS HEPATITIS?
This is a common virus that attacks the liver in humans. Acute infections can be overcome and the body fights them without treatment. However, chronic infections can lead to liver cancer and liver failure. Three versions of this virus exist - "A", "B", and "C". Though there is more than one way to come in contact with it, it is considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD). This article discusses the "B" version. (Visit my other articles for more about "A" and "C".)
HEPATITIS B:
Also called HBV, this disease is the most common in adults aged 20-49. It is spread from person to person in bodily fluids such as saliva, blood, fluids coming from open sores, vaginal secretions, and semen. Common ways to come in contact with Hepatitis B are through sexual activities, sexual intercourse, needles (tattoo, medical, or piercing needles), or razors (from people sharing razors).
Since it is considered an STD, anyone who is sexually active is at risk. Even if a person contracted the virus through a needle or a razor, they can spread it to their partner during sexual activities. Using condoms reduces the risk but it does not completely remove it because saliva is transferred from person to person during heavy kissing and it can be transmitted through saliva. The only way to avoid being exposed through sexual contact is by not engaging in any type of sexual activity at all, including kissing. A hepatitis test is the only way to know if a person has it. Engaging sexual activity with a person that has tested negative reduces the risk of transmission in this way.
Often times, people who are infected to not know it because they may not experience any symptoms. However, for those who do have symptoms, they report feeling like they have the flu. This means they feel tired, have a mild fever or headache, lose their appetite, have abdominal pain or diarrhea, and/or feel pain in their joints. Some people may have a light colored stool while others may have yellowish eyes or skin. If yellowing happens it is called jaundice and usually occurs after the other symptoms have disappeared. It is important to get a hepatitis test because it can be spread whether symptoms are present or not.
Adults who have contracted the virus can usually fight it on their own in a couple of months. When this happens, a lifelong immunity is built within their body. Children, on the other hand, have a much higher risk of not being able to fight the infection. The younger the child, the tougher it is for them to fight it. Pregnant mothers can pass it on to their babies so it is important that pregnant women get tested. Anyone (child or adult) whose body cannot fight the infection is said to have chronic hepatitis and should be regularly monitored by a doctor.
It is smart to get hepatitis B testing, especially for those who are sexually active. If results are negative, a vaccine is available to protect people against its effects. Vaccination is a smart choice because there is no cure. If a person did not get a vaccine and their body cannot fight it they will likely have chronic liver disease. For positive results, an antiviral treatment may be given with early diagnosis. This could help fight the disease and prevent future symptoms.
Hepatitis B testing is fast. Find a local lab now. Visit http://www.AffordableSTDTest.com
for an instant discount on a full hepatitis test (A, B, & C).
Simply order online at AffordableSTDTest.com, stop by a local lab to
give a quick blood sample, and you're done. No appointment is necessary.
If you are sexually active it is recommended that you get screened for
all STDs. An instant discount will be automatically applied and your
confidential results will be emailed directly to you within 1-2 days. A
consultation with a doctor is available if anything comes back positive.
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Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Ken_S./179266
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