Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver and can become an acute or chronic disease.
The term “hepatitis” simply means inflammation of the liver.
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus HBV.
According to conventional medicine, in a hepatitis patient with a positive hepatitis B virus test, all symptoms are provoked by the virus; however, due to the theories of natural medicine and health hygiene of Lezaeta and Shelton, the symptoms are signs of a general health problem. This theory means a complete change in treatment based solely on a vegan diet, a more natural lifestyle, physical exercise and possibly fasting.
Hepatitis B can cause a chronic infection and increase the fatal risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Acute hepatitis B refers to a recently acquired infection. Those affected notice the symptoms after an incubation period of 1 to 4 months after contact with the virus. In most cases, symptoms improve over the course of weeks or months in people with acute hepatitis when the infection is treated.
In the United States, 95% of adults with hepatitis B are able to defeat and recover from the virus.
However, some people develop a very severe and dangerous form of acute hepatitis called fulminant hepatitis.
Chronic hepatitis B is an infection with HBV that lasts longer than 6 months. If the infection becomes chronic, it never disappears completely.
The liver is an important organ that filters toxins from the blood and stores energy, iron and vitamin B12 for later use. It helps with digestion and produces substances that stop bleeding.
The liver has an incredible ability to heal itself, but the inflammation caused by HBV can cause long-term damage.
Chronic hepatitis B can also lead to a type of liver cancer known as hepatocellular carcinoma.
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How is the hepatitis B virus transmitted?
Hepatitis B is a very contagious disease.
Infection from mother to child (also called vertical transmission) Throughout the world, the most common way in which the germ (virus)
is transmitted is the transition from the infected mother to the child.
This usually happens during childbirth.
Transmission of hepatitis B from mother to foetus is very common in some parts of the third world, where many people are infected. This happens less frequently in Europe and the United States.
Human-to-human transmission (also called horizontal transmission)
Blood and bodily fluids such as semen and vaginal secretions contain the virus in an infected person.
The main ways in which the virus spreads in Europe are:
- Unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person. Hepatitis B can also be transmitted during oral sexual intercourse.
Caution: Many people with hepatitis B do not know that they are infected and can therefore transmit the virus during sexual intercourse. - About infected blood. It is enough to come into contact with a small amount of infected blood through a cut or wound on the body that allows the virus to pass into the bloodstream to multiply there and cause the infection.
Ways in which you can become infected via the infected blood are, for example:
- Sharing needles and/or any injection instruments (for example, spoons, filters and injection water) to inject medication.
Even a small amount of remaining blood from an infected person on a needle is sufficient for spreading to another person. - Some people who received a blood transfusion or had other contact with blood several years ago have been infected with hepatitis B. Nowadays, the blood of blood donors is also tested for the hepatitis B virus and other infections.
Thus, the risk of transmission through a transfusion is very low. - Accidental contact with a used needle from an infected person.
- A small risk of transmitting the virus is sharing a toothbrush, razor, and other objects that could be contaminated with blood. The virus can survive outside the body for more than a week.
- The use of non-sterile equipment for dental care, medical treatment, tattooing, piercing, etc.
- Bite from an infected person.
- When an infected person coughs up blood on a skin wound, eyes or mouth.
Infection with the hepatitis B virus is impossible in the following cases:
- handshake with an infected person;
- infection through a kiss is difficult, but an intense kiss can cause transmission of the virus, even if transmission is not through saliva;
- when an infected person coughs or sneezes against another person;
- hugging an infected person;
- shared use of spoon, fork and other cutlery,
- at the hairdresser, when cutting sideburns, beard or neck hair, you can get infected with the razor only if there are skin injuries;
- by breastfeeding at the breast, a child can not become infected.
Risk factors for hepatitis B
- Living or frequent travel to parts of the world where hepatitis B is common, such as Asian nations or Pacific Islands.
- Infection with HIV or hepatitis C.
- Who injects himself with illegal drugs.
- Who lives or works in a prison.
- Anyone who received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1990.
- In addition, men who have sex with other men are more likely to be infected with hepatitis B.
How long does the hepatitis B virus survive outside the body?
The hepatitis B virus can survive outside the body for at least 7 days. During this time, the virus can still cause infections if it enters the body of an uninfected person.
Can someone who has had hepatitis B in the past get it again?
No, once recovered from hepatitis B, antibodies develop that protect against the virus for a lifetime.
An antibody is a substance that the body creates in response to a virus and is in the bloodstream.
Antibodies destroy the viruses and therefore protect the body from viral diseases.
However, some people develop chronic inflammation, especially if they were infected during their early childhood.
If you have hepatitis B, is it possible to donate blood, organs and sperm?
No, if a person tests positive for the hepatitis B virus, experts recommend that they do not donate blood, organ or sperm because this can infect the recipients.
Symptoms of hepatitis B
After being infected with hepatitis B, you don’t necessarily have to have symptoms.
One can suffer from general malaise for a few days or weeks.
In other cases, you can immediately feel bad if it is a fulminant hepatitis.
The symptoms of hepatitis B can go unnoticed for up to 6 months after infection.
The first symptoms include:
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Mild fever
- Muscle and joint pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Yellow skin (jaundice) and dark urine
Symptoms pass within a few weeks or months if the body is able to fight the infection. Some people never rid themselves of the virus of hepatitis B, which then becomes chronic.
People with chronic hepatitis B do not necessarily have symptoms and do not necessarily need to know about their infection, but over time they can develop liver problems and cirrhosis.
In other cases, the virus may remain latent or inactive in the blood for a lifetime without developing symptoms.
Conventional medicine explains this phenomenon on the basis of the viral load (amount of virus), with a small amount there may be no health problems. According to natural medicine and health hygiene, the symptoms are not caused by the virus, so the real cause must be determined for a cure.
The hepatitis B virus can also be transmitted to other people if there are no symptoms.
How long do the symptoms last in acute hepatitis B?
Symptoms usually last a few weeks, but some people may suffer for up to 6 months.
Diagnosis of hepatitis B
If the doctor suspects that the patient has hepatitis B, he will perform a complete examination and check the blood values for liver function.
Hepatitis B is confirmed by blood tests, which show the viral markers of hepatitis, i.e. the antigens (Ag) and antibodies (Ak) that fight the virus.
The antibodies appear in the blood about two months after recovery.
Markers and liver enzymes (GOT or transaminases) can provide information about the status of the infection (acute, chronic, healthy carrier, immunity through vaccination, etc.).
If the disease becomes chronic, a liver biopsy (tissue sample) may be performed to determine the severity of the condition.
What is the therapy for hepatitis B?
If you go to the doctor within two weeks of contact with hepatitis B, vaccination can be carried out immediately, as well as the injection of an immunoglobulin for hepatitis, which serves to strengthen the immune system and fight the infection.
When you get sick, bed rest is usually required to get well as soon as possible.
Some doctors recommend a high-calorie, fatty diet, and they also advise eating as much as possible despite nausea.
In addition, someone suffering from hepatitis B should not drink alcohol or take acetaminophen, as these can damage the liver.
Before taking any other medications, herbal remedies or supplements, one should talk to the doctor, because some of these can make the disease worse.
If hepatitis persists in an active state (chronically active hepatitis B) for six months, the doctor must move on to more aggressive treatment.
If the infection is not active (status of the inactive carrier), the doctor keeps the patient under control.
People with chronic hepatitis are treated with a combination of medications. These include:
interferon. Interferon is a drug that strengthens the immune system and should be injected for at least 6 months.
Although this drug does not cure the disease, it improves inflammation of the liver. Long-acting interferon (pegylated interferon) has been shown to be very effective.
Interferon has some unwanted side effects, including malaise, depression, and loss of appetite. Additionally, it can decrease the number of white blood cells.
Epivir. This medication is taken orally once a day. In most cases, the medicine is well tolerated. After prolonged use, viral mutations may occur.
Hepsera. This medication works well in people whose condition does not respond to Epivir. At elevated doses, however, it can lead to kidney problems.
Baraclude. This is the latest drug for the treatment of hepatitis B. Viread.
If this medication is taken, kidney function must be monitored.
Liver
For some people with advanced cirrhosis, liver transplantation may be a possible alternative.
Although this is a major surgery, the prognosis after a liver transplant can be very good. However, the new liver can also be damaged by a persistent (chronic) infection of hepatitis B.
Diet, diet and alcohol for hepatitis B
According to conventional medicine, with chronic hepatitis B, one should follow a healthy and balanced diet.
Anyone who has inflammation of the liver should not drink alcohol.
If you already suffer from liver inflammation, alcohol increases the risk and speed of developing cirrhosis.
According to the blood type diet of Dr. D’Adamo and Dr. Mozzi, you can live with the virus and conquer it with a healthy diet.
The following should be excluded from the diet:
- Milk and dairy products
- cereals containing gluten
- Pork and sausages
- Fried
- Alcohol
Also, according to the theory of health hygiene, these foods must be avoided, in addition, H. Shelton and M. Lezaeta recommend a fasting cure of 2-4 days in the acute phase until the malaise passes; This is followed by a vegan and raw food diet, as well as life in the fresh air (even in the cold) and exercise.
When to get vaccinated against hepatitis B?
Children and adults
All children should receive the first dose of hepatitis B vaccination for the first time at birth and complete the vaccination series at 6 to 18 months of age.
All children and adolescents up to the age of 19 who have not yet been vaccinated should be vaccinated.
Since no vaccine can offer 100% safety, it is still possible to contract hepatitis B infection even after receiving a full vaccination cycle.
Vaccination programme
The vaccine is available at the hospital or local clinic.
For the completion of vaccination, three injections are performed, but there is also an accelerated series of two doses for adolescents.
- First injection – at any time
- Second booster – at least one month after the first dose
- Third booster – six months after the first dose
Side effects of vaccination
The most common side effects are: pain, swelling and redness at the injection site. The vaccination should not be recommended to anyone who has a documented allergy to yeast or a history of negative vaccination reaction.
The vaccine for hepatitis B is one of the safest and most effective ever. Numerous studies on the safety of the vaccine have been conducted in control centers for this disease, in the World Health Organization and other professional medical associations.
There is no evidence that the vaccine leads to sudden infant death syndrome, multiple sclerosis, or other neurological diseases.
Adult
adults who are at risk for hepatitis B or want to be vaccinated should talk to their doctor to begin the full line of vaccination.
