Hepatitis B is a serious and highly infectious liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), affecting millions worldwide. This viral infection can be acute or chronic, and without proper management, may lead to life-threatening complications. Increasing awareness, promoting prevention, and ensuring timely access to diagnosis and treatment are essential steps in reducing its global impact.

What Is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a liver infection transmitted through exposure to infected blood or bodily fluids. Common transmission routes include unprotected sexual contact, sharing needles or personal hygiene items, and from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth. HBV is a particularly resilient virus capable of surviving outside the body for extended periods, which heightens the risk of transmission and emphasizes the importance of preventive measures.

Health Effects of Hepatitis B

The symptoms and outcomes of hepatitis B vary depending on whether the infection is acute or chronic:

• Acute Hepatitis B: Often develops shortly after infection. Symptoms may include fatigue, jaundice, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In most cases, the body clears the virus naturally within six months.

• Chronic Hepatitis B: Occurs when the virus remains in the body beyond six months. This long-term infection significantly raises the risk of developing liver cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer, requiring ongoing medical care.

Prevention Strategies

• Vaccination: The hepatitis B vaccine is the most effective form of prevention. Safe and effective for all age groups, it is especially recommended for infants, healthcare workers, and individuals at higher risk.

• Safe Practices: Minimizing transmission involves using protection during sex, avoiding the sharing of personal items like razors or toothbrushes, and ensuring sterile equipment for tattoos, piercings, and medical procedures.

Diagnosis and Early Detection

Early detection is critical, particularly for high-risk groups such as healthcare professionals, individuals with multiple sexual partners, and infants born to infected mothers. Hepatitis B is diagnosed through blood tests that detect the virus and evaluate liver function, enabling timely and effective treatment.

Treatment Options

• Acute Infection: Typically managed with supportive care—rest, hydration, and monitoring—since the immune system often clears the virus without the need for antiviral medication.

• Chronic Infection: Requires long-term management with antiviral drugs to suppress the virus and protect liver health. Regular medical monitoring and healthy lifestyle choices are essential to prevent complications.

Global Impact and Moving Forward

Hepatitis B remains a major public health concern, particularly in regions with limited access to healthcare. Expanding vaccination coverage, increasing public education, and improving availability of diagnostic and treatment services are key to reducing its burden.

Ensuring Access to Treatment

For individuals with chronic hepatitis B, continuous access to antiviral medication is vital. Reliable pharmaceutical supply chains, including trusted exporters of drugs such as Entavir (Entecavir), play an essential role in supporting global treatment programs. Strengthening these partnerships helps ensure consistent care and improves long-term outcomes for patients worldwide.