Hepatitis B Specialists in West Bengal

What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver, caused by the hepatitis B virus, which can lead to both acute short-term illness and, in some individuals, a chronic lifelong infection that gradually damages the liver over years or decades. The virus spreads through contact with infected blood or body fluids, including through childbirth from mother to child, unprotected sexual contact, and sharing of needles or unsterilised medical or tattooing equipment. Many people infected as adults clear the virus naturally within a few months, while infection acquired at birth or in early childhood is far more likely to become chronic. Chronic hepatitis B infection significantly increases the long-term risk of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, making ongoing monitoring important even in the absence of symptoms. Effective vaccination has substantially reduced new infections where it has been widely implemented, and antiviral treatment can control chronic infection in many patients.

Causes of Hepatitis B

Caused by infection with the hepatitis B virus, transmitted through contact with infected blood or body fluids, including from mother to child during childbirth, unprotected sexual contact, and sharing of needles or contaminated medical equipment. Infection acquired at birth or in early childhood carries a much higher risk of becoming a chronic, lifelong infection compared to infection acquired in adulthood. Healthcare workers, individuals who inject drugs, and those with multiple sexual partners are at increased occupational or behavioural risk.

Symptoms of Hepatitis B

Fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain particularly in the upper right area, jaundice with yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine, joint pain, in chronic infection often no symptoms until significant liver damage has occurred

Treatment & Types of Hepatitis B in West Bengal

Acute hepatitis B infection is generally managed with supportive care as the immune system clears the virus in most adult cases. Chronic hepatitis B infection is managed with antiviral medications that suppress viral replication and reduce the risk of liver damage, though these typically require long-term or lifelong use. Regular monitoring with blood tests and periodic liver imaging is important to detect early signs of cirrhosis or liver cancer in those with chronic infection.

Hepatitis B infection is classified as acute, a short-term infection that most adults clear on their own within a few months, or chronic, a lifelong infection that develops in a small proportion of adults but the majority of those infected at birth or in early childhood, since a more immature immune system is less able to clear the virus.

Hepatology Specialists in West Bengal (0)

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