Treatment and Prognosis of Hepatitis B Infection
Hepatitis B is fairly common infection in many parts of the world. Unfortunately no effective antiviral antibiotic is available for treatment of hepatitis B infection and treatment is mostly based on symptomatic measures. In majority of adult’s acute hepatitis B infection usually do not need any treatment, because in most adults acute hepatitis B infection is cleared spontaneously. Only in rare cases (less than 1% of hepatitis B infections), early initiation of antiviral antibiotics may be warranted, if the patient is immunocompromized or in case the hepatitis B infection takes aggressive course known as fulminant hepatitis.
In case of chronic hepatitis B infection, most patients require treatment for reducing the risk of liver cancer development in later years and for preventing cirrhosis. Persistent elevated levels of Alanine aminotransferase, a marker of chronic hepatitis B infection and elevated HBV (hepatitis B virus) DNA levels indicate need to appropriate treatment, which lasts for 6 months to one year.
Categories: Diseases Tags: Hepatitis B, hepatocellular carcinoma
How Common is Hepatitis B Infection and How it is Transmitted?
Hepatitis B infection is infectious disease of liver caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B was known previously as serum hepatitis. It is endemic in parts of Asia (including China) and Africa. According WHO estimate every year more than half a million people die due to hepatitis B virus infection.
How common is hepatitis B infection?
It is estimated that approximately one third of world population has been infected at some point of their life. Out of these approximately 350 million have become chronic carriers and act as reservoir of infection of hepatitis B. The prevalence rate of hepatitis B infection varies from country to country and in the same country it varies from region to region. The prevalence rate is as high as 10% or more in some parts of Asia and low of approximately 0.5% in United States and Europe.
Categories: Diseases Tags: HBeAg, HBsAg, HBV, Hepatitis B
Rehabilitation of Opioid (opium) Dependency
The basic strategy of opium rehabilitation is detoxification and the establishment of realistic goals for abstinence and improvement of life functioning. A long term commitment by the patient to maintain a lifestyle without illicit substances is essential for preventing relapse. Patients are educated about their responsibility for improving their lives. Motivation for abstinence is increased by providing information about the medical and psychological problems that can be expected if dependence continues. The dependent person is also advised to establish a drug-free peer group and to participate in self-help groups such as Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous. Patients and families are encouraged to establish an opioid-free lifestyle by learning to cope with chronic pain and develop realistic vocational planning. An important treatment component is relapse prevention aimed at identifying triggers for a return to drugs and developing appropriate coping strategies. Advice and counseling can be given by the doctor by referring patients to formal drug programs, including methadone maintenance clinics, programs using narcotic antagonists, and therapeutic communities. Long-term follow-up of treated patients indicates that approximately one-third becomes completely drug free, and 60% no longer use drugs.
Categories: Addiction, Health Information Tags: Hepatitis B, Narcotics anonymous
