Hepatitis, I am sure you must have heard about this disease!
This is one of the common health challenges people suffer from. Hepatitis directly affects liver function. Three common types of hepatitis vary according to the clinical signs and symptoms as well as severity.
Hepatitis B is a common type. My uncle was recently diagnosed with the infection after visiting a renowned liver specialist in Multan. Among already existing types of hepatitis viruses, hepatitis B can be quite concerning.
Common Misconceptions About Hepatitis B
Seeing my uncle suffering from the condition, I realize that the condition is poorly understood and there are a lot of misconceptions about the condition. I am sure most of you are not aware of the problem. In case you are curious, here are some of the common misconceptions about hepatitis B.
1- Hepatitis B is lethal
Many people believe that hepatitis B is a fatal disease that can kill an infected individual. However, this is not the case. There are millions of people that are affected by the condition and still manage to live normal lives. So, the condition is not lethal especially when caught at an early stage and treated accordingly.
2- There is no medicine to treat Hepatitis B
When it comes to treating conditions like hepatitis B, many people believe that there are no medicines for the condition. However, this is not true and some medicines can help to prevent the disease. Currently, more than 5 medicines are available in the market that is completely safe for usage and remain effective.
3- Hepatitis B vaccine is not effective
One of the best ways to prevent Hepatitis B is vaccination. Many people question the efficacy of this vaccine but this is a completely safer vaccine that can help to prevent the disease effectively. This is a cheaper vaccine and can keep you safe from developing a hepatitis B infection.
However, the vaccine is only effective when given before the development and prevalence of hepatitis B infection. The status of hepatitis B infection can be checked by both quantitative and qualitative tests. HBV test cost is also quite low which can make the diagnosis accessible.
4- Hepatitis B infection is just like AIDS
Despite being viral illnesses, both of these diseases are not the same. From different causative agents to clinical manifestation, there are lots of differences in the case of both diseases. Further, hepatitis B is less serious and can’t be both prevented and treated very easily.
5- Hepatitis B can be spread by droplets
Respiratory droplets are considered to be an easy mode of transmission of many diseases. Hepatitis B is considered to be not an exception to this. However, hepatitis B doesn’t spread by coughing or sneezing. The mode of transmission for this virus is the body fluids etc. so one should be very careful while using syringes and getting a blood transfusion.
6- Women suffering from Hepatitis B can’t breastfeed their babies
This myth about hepatitis B also addresses the mode of transmission of this virus. So, if a woman is suffering from the virus there are no chances that she will be transmitting it to her baby. Further, to minimize the risk of transmission of the hepatitis B virus, newborns are often vaccinated against the virus.
The risk of hepatitis B transmission from mother to children increases when the skin around your nipples is bruised or has cracks. So, you don’t need to worry about the viral transmission via breastfeeding.
7- Hepatitis B is a genetic disease
Just like other genetic diseases, many people believe that hepatitis is a genetic disease and can run across your genes. However, the condition has nothing to do with your genetics and has nothing to do with your genetic makeup.
8- Hepatitis B status is revealed in your routine checkups
No, this is not possible to know if you have the virus or have developed it before. This is because the condition can go silent for a long time and can emerge as chronic hepatitis B. So, your regular checkup and yearly exams are less likely to reveal your infection status.
A person can stay infected with the virus for years without having any signs and symptoms. The condition is usually evident when the liver damage starts affecting other health parameters after disruption of normal liver function.
Bottom Line!
Hepatitis is a common liver condition that can affect anyone. Alongside other virus types causing the disease, hepatitis B can be prevented through vaccination. Though there are ways to prevent and treat the disease, there are still a lot of misconceptions about the disease. So, one should follow a good diet and healthy lifestyle;e practices to minimize the damage.
However, in case of any concerning signs and symptoms indicating poor liver health, one needs to immediately seek out medical advice to prevent the complications.
