Hepatitis B - Prevention, Diagnosis and Care: A Review

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Hepatitis B is spread through contact with blood or body fluids of an infected person. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the major cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The likelihood of developing Chronic Hepatitis B is related to the age at which infection is acquired; the risk being lowest in adults and >90% in neonates whose mothers are hepatitis B e antigen positive. HBV is not directly cytopathic and liver injury appears to be mostly caused by repeated attempts of the host's immune responses to control the infection. After reviewing the various articles, the following protocols are best suited for the health care workers.