Does hepatitis B cause cirrhosis?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Vo Thi Thuy Trang - Gastroenterologist, Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Danang International Hospital.

Hepatitis B is one of the most dangerous liver diseases. According to statistics, about 25% of people with hepatitis B have serious liver damage, many cases of complications into cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver failure, even death.

1. What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is caused by the HBV virus, also known as the hepatitis B virus. Healthy people with good resistance or older children infected with the HBV virus have the ability to produce immunity against the HBV virus. When that is considered acute hepatitis B infection, ie the disease lasts only a short time.
In contrast, people who have chronic hepatitis B, which lasts for many months, are called chronic hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is very contagious. According to statistics from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to 25% of Americans have hepatitis B.

viêm gan B — Viêm gan B do virus HBV gây ra và rất dễ lây lan

2. Symptoms of Hepatitis B

Initially infected with hepatitis B virus, patients often have no obvious symptoms. The disease only has symptoms when it is severe, the liver has been damaged. Therefore, hepatitis B becomes even more dangerous, considered a "silent killer".
Symptoms of hepatitis B include:
Jaundice, yellow eyes; Body aches, fatigue; Erythema; Urine is dark in color; Stools are gray-green; Nausea, vomiting; Fever; Anorexia, loss of appetite; Stomachache; Itching all over. When you see symptoms of the disease or see unusual signs, you should immediately go to medical facilities for examination.

Gan, tổn thương gan — Viêm gan B chỉ biểu hiện triệu chứng khi gan đã bị tổn thương nặng

3. How is hepatitis B contagious?

Hepatitis B is an infectious disease. There are 3 ways hepatitis B is spread, including:
Hepatitis B is transmitted from mother to baby If a pregnant woman has hepatitis B, there is a 90% chance that the fetus will be infected. The rate of mother-to-child transmission depends on the duration and severity of hepatitis B infection in the mother. Therefore, it is recommended that young children receive the hepatitis B vaccine from birth.
Hepatitis B is spread through blood Hepatitis B can be transmitted through blood. Therefore, do not share needles, razors, tattoo needles... to avoid infection. Do not even share a toothbrush because the patient's gums may bleed during the brushing process, leading to viral infection.
Hepatitis B virus is very persistent in the environment, even the virus can live even when the blood stain has dried. If you come into contact with a hepatitis B patient with an open wound, use gloves and disinfect them carefully.
Sexually Transmitted Hepatitis B Hepatitis B can be sexually transmitted, including homosexual and heterosexual relationships. To avoid infection, be monogamous, wear a condom when having sex.

Quan hệ tình dục với người bị viêm gan B — Viêm gan B có thể lây qua đường tình dục

4. Does hepatitis B cause cirrhosis?

As mentioned, hepatitis B only manifests itself when the liver is severely damaged. When the disease is in its early stages, patients often do not know to receive early treatment. Hepatitis B is one of the leading causes of cirrhosis. Hepatitis B virus has a long time in the body, attacks strongly, destroying many liver cells. The longer it takes, the stronger the activity of the hepatitis B virus, the more severe the liver will be damaged. Gradually, in the damaged areas will form scars, fibrous tissues, long-term forming cirrhosis.
Cirrhosis is a particularly dangerous disease, causing many dangerous complications, especially intra-abdominal infection, liver cancer.
Need to listen to the body to promptly detect abnormal signs, especially those at high risk of disease such as drinking a lot of alcohol. Regular medical examination every 6 months or 1 year to screen for dangerous diseases, including hepatitis B is the best way to protect health.

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