Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver, with three types of antigens: surface, e, and core. It can be acute or chronic, and is highly transmissible through blood and body fluids. A vaccine is available, and anyone exposed to blood or body fluids should use barrier methods.
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver. When the virus enters the body, it replicates or makes copies of itself, releasing hepatitis B antigens, a specific protein. They are a useful blood marker to distinguish between acute and chronic hepatitis B and immune status after vaccination. There are three hepatitis B antigens: the surface antigen, the e antigen, and the central antigen.
Acute or chronic hepatitis B can occur. Chronic hepatitis B is a common co-infection in patients with HIV, which requires the use of specific antiretrovirals that are also active against hepatitis B. Measurement of the presence of hepatitis B antigens and antibodies in blood and liver allows diagnosis the type of hepatitis B present and in which stage of the disease the patient is. Antibodies are proteins made by the body as part of its immune response to fight the virus.
There are three types of hepatitis B antigens. Surface antigen (HBsAg) is released immediately after infection and is used as part of the diagnosis of an acute infection. If HBsAg is present for more than six months, it indicates a chronic infection. The e antigen (HBeAg) is found once the virus begins actively replicating in the liver and indicates that the person is highly infectious. Hepatitis core antigen (HBcAg) is found only in liver biopsies, not in blood. People who are hepatitis B antigen positive can also transmit the infection to others, whether they are acutely or chronically.
Hepatitis B is highly transmissible through blood and body fluids. A vaccine is available, and it is routinely given to people at high risk of exposure to hepatitis B. These include laboratory personnel, healthcare workers, sewer workers, and any other people exposed to blood or body fluids in the workplace.
Measurement of hepatitis B antibodies after vaccination can measure a sufficient response. Vaccinated people will only show the presence of hepatitis B antibodies, not antigens. If hepatitis B antigens are present, it is an indication of previous or current exposure to hepatitis B.
Regardless of vaccination status, anyone exposed to blood or body fluids should use barrier methods to minimize the risk of exposure. These include gloves and protective clothing, in case of occupational exposure, and condoms, in case of sexual exposure. Hepatitis B is a serious disease that can cause long-term liver damage, including cirrhosis and liver cancer.
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