Hepatitis B – the Disease

Transmission routes are similar to those for HIV, and the virus is spread through blood and body fluids such as semen, vaginal secretions and saliva. The virus can be contracted via inadequately-sterilised syringes and needles, tattooing, body piercing, poor surgical technique, or unprotected sex with an infected person. If untreated, it can lead to life-long infection, scarring of the liver, liver cancer and liver failure.

The incubation period for Hepatitis B is between three and six months. After suspected infection with the virus, several outcomes are possible: nothing may happen; you may develop the disease, recover and have life-long immunity; or you may develop the disease and become a carrier without having shown any symptoms.

Symptoms of Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B infection can go unnoticed or it may begin with 'flu-like symptoms, followed by:

• Loss of appetite and nausea, especially at the sight of food
• General malaise and tiredness
• Pain in muscles and joints; also right upper abdominal pain (over the liver)
• Diarrhoea and vomiting
• Headache
• Urine becomes dark and faeces becomes pale
• Conjunctiva of eyes become yellow with jaundice and the skin generally takes on a yellow colouring
• Most cases recover fully: in 5%-10% of cases the disease becomes chronic

Rest in bed lessens damage to the liver. A light diet with no fats and no alcohol needs to be followed for many months, to allow the liver to recover. Approximately 1%-3% of identified Hepatitis B cases lead to liver failure.

Incidence

The high-risk places for travellers are: China, South-East Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, the Middle East, the Amazon region.

Babies born to mothers infected with Hepatitis B are at high risk of contracting Hepatitis. These babies have a 90% risk of chronic infection. Screening pregnant women for Hepatitis B antigen will identify the babies at risk. If the mother tests negative it is highly unlikely that the child will be affected.

In the UK, high risk groups for Hepatitis B include (ref BNF):

• Parental drug users
• Individuals who change sexual partners frequently
• Close family contacts of a case or carrier
• Infants born to mothers who have had Hepatitis B during pregnancy
• Haemophiliacs and those receiving regular blood transfusions or blood products
• Carers and staff handling the products
• Haemodialysis patients
• Health care personnel, hospital staff, day care staff, staff of custodial institutions
• Families adopting children from countries with a high prevalence of Hepatitis B

Homeopathic prophylaxis and preventative measures

• Hepatitis B 30c taken once every 12 hours for 3 doses following any high-risk incident can help to protect from the disease.
• Avoid unprotected sex with strangers. Always use a condom.
• Take extra care if you need to seek medical/surgical/dental treatment when abroad
• Consider the health risks of tattooing or body piercing in areas where adequate sterilization is not practical
• Take Chelidonium Ø or Carduus Marianus Ø five drops in water daily to protect the liver following any high-risk incident.

References:

• The Vaccine Guide – R Neustader
• http://www.who.int/vaccines/en/hepatitisb.shtml
• http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/b/