Hepatitis B virus

The article was written by Senior Doctor, Specialist II Tran Khac Dien - General Doctor - Department of Examination - Vinmec Times City International Hospital

Hepatitis B is a global disease caused by the hepatitis B virus. The disease can have an acute course, in which about 90% of cases can be completely cured, only 10% have a chronic course and the end result is cirrhosis and liver cancer. Currently, the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection is still difficult.

The causative agent of hepatitis B virus is the hepatitis B virus (HBV), belonging to the family Hepadnaviridae, which is transmitted by blood, sexual contact and from mother to child. Virus has 3 antigens, namely HBsAg, HBeAg, and HBcAg, corresponding to which there are 3 types of antibodies: anti-HBs, anti-HBc, anti-HBe. disease progression.
Symptoms of the disease depend on the stage of the disease, divided into 2 stages: acute and chronic. During acute exacerbation, patients often have symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, poor appetite, mild fever, accompanied by yellowing of the skin, eyes, and dark yellow urine. In contrast, patients with chronic hepatitis B often have few obvious clinical symptoms, possibly fatigue, loss of appetite, mild pain in the right lower quadrant.
To diagnose hepatitis B, it is necessary to rely on testing for HBsAg antigen, if this antigen persists for more than 6 months, the patient is at risk of becoming a chronic carrier of the virus. Staging should be based on testing for anti-HBc, anti-HBe and HBeAg antigens.
In addition to predicting the severity of the disease, the doctor will further probe based on liver function tests (liver enzymes: AST/ALT, compound function, coagulation function), abdominal ultrasound assessment of liver fibrosis.

The treatment of hepatitis B also depends on the stage of the disease. Normally, 90% of patients infected with acute hepatitis B can recover completely, so treatment in this stage focuses on treating symptoms and supporting liver function. Patients with chronic hepatitis B infection require antiviral therapy and strict adherence to their use in order to improve the likelihood of treatment success.
To prevent hepatitis B virus, in addition to general infection prevention measures such as practicing safe sex, avoiding contact of the patient's blood into the wound, not sharing needles; We also have proactive preventive measures by vaccination. Currently, hepatitis B vaccines can be very effective, and are recommended by the expanded immunization program for newborns.
Vinmec International General Hospital is currently providing hepatitis B vaccination service. Advantages of vaccination at Vinmec:
The source of Vinmec vaccine used is imported with clear inspection, using Use appropriate age for vaccination, ensure safety through the stages of registration, storage and use according to the guidance of the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization; Before vaccination, 100% of customers are screened before vaccination with pediatricians - vaccines to ensure that the vaccinated person has the best health when vaccination; A team of experienced and professional doctors, applying effective pain relief methods during vaccination; 100% of vaccinated customers are monitored and re-evaluated before leaving; Underwent general supervision before, during and after vaccination at Vinmec Health System and always have an emergency team ready to coordinate with the vaccination department to handle cases of anaphylaxis, respiratory failure - circulatory arrest, ensuring ensure timely and correct handling when incidents occur; Post-vaccination monitoring room is invested, fully equipped with modern emergency facilities; the team of doctors - nurses are trained in emergency management, ensuring timely and correct treatment when incidents occur; Vaccines are imported and stored in a modern cold storage system, with a cold chain that meets GSP standards, keeping vaccines in the best conditions to ensure quality;