The hepatitis B virus is an issue of high relevance not only in Azerbaijan but all over the world. This virus is capable of causing more severe complications in the liver. So how is hepatitis B transmitted? Although various routes of transmission are noted in the literature, in our practice we most often see cases of transmission through blood.
How is hepatitis B transmitted?
Although the literature lists routes of transmission through saliva, any sexual secretions, mucus, and blood, in practice transmission occurs most frequently through blood. This transmission is mainly recorded via the following means:
- In dental and gynecological offices under non-sterile conditions;
- Through drug addiction, which is very common among youth;
- Via tattoos;
- Practically through all means that come into contact with blood.
Complications of the disease and check-up examination
Since hepatitis B proceeds in a chronic form, unfortunately, patients consult a doctor at the very last moment. If not diagnosed in a timely manner, by the time patients seek help, we can see complications up to hepatocellular carcinoma. This virus has a very peculiar characteristic: it lays the foundation for a malignant tumor even before cirrhosis forms in the liver tissue. Therefore, we ask patients to occasionally detect problems occurring in the body through a check-up.
Treatment and antiviral drugs
Nowadays, we have antiviral drugs that improve year by year and have fewer side effects, and this means that hepatitis B can be cured. However, due to the lack of the body's resistance to the virus in our patients, we cannot say that there is a complete cure for the virus. With treatment, we stop the stress factor. The duration of the hepatitis B virus is very long. Using antiviral drugs without a specialist's recommendation is harmful to the patient. For this reason, be sure to talk to your doctor and then use those medications.