1. Hepatitis B

2. Route of transmission
Transmission of hepatitis B virus results from exposure to infectious blood or body fluids containing blood:
unprotected sexual contact,
blood transfusions,
re-use of contaminated needles & syringes,
vertical transmission from mother to child during childbirth.

3. General Symptoms
~Associated with acute viral hepatitis, an illness that begins with
general ill-heath which can last for a few weeks and then gradually improves
e.g. loss of appetite
nausea
vomiting
itchy skin
A few patients may have more severe liver disease, and may die as a result of it.

4. General Treatment in HK
~does not usually require treatment because most adults clear the infection spontaneously.
~FOR Infants born to mothers known to carry hepatitis B: can be treated with antibodies to the hepatitis B virus.
-When given with the vaccine within twelve hours of birth, the risk of acquiring hepatitis B is reduced 95%.
=>allows a mother to safely breastfeed her child.

5. Preventive measures
Several vaccines have been developed for the prevention of hepatitis B virus infection.
Unlike Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B does not generally spread through water and food. Instead, it is transmitted through body fluids, from which prevention is taken to avoid:
unprotected sexual contact,
blood transfusions,
re-use of contaminated needles and syringes,
vertical transmission during child birth.
Infants may be vaccinated at birth.