Hepatitis B

Infection of liver cells by HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) which is exteriorized by a spectrum of syndromes ranging from subclinical and inapparent infection to rapidly progressive and fatal.
Symptoms, when present, are: lack of appetite, fever, nausea, vomiting, asthenia, diarrhea, joint pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes) among the most common.
Treatment
There is no medication to combat the disease agent directly, they treat only the symptoms and complications.

Prevention
Vaccine obtained by genetic engineering, with great effectiveness in the development of protective antibody levels (3 doses). It is recommended the same care as described in prevention of AIDS, namely safe sex and care of handling the blood.
Control
Control measures include pre-exposure prophylaxis, post-exposure, not sharing or reuse of syringes and needles, mandatory screening in blood donors, viral inactivation of blood products and appropriate biosecurity measures in health establishments. Vaccination is the safest for preventing hepatitis B. In Brazil, the vaccine is recommended for all people under 20 and people with populations greater vulnerability to disease. The following groups should be vaccinated: health professionals; household contacts of HBV carriers positive; patient on hemodialysis; multitransfused; thalassemia, haemophilia, sickle cell anemia, cancer, HIV (symptomatic and asymptomatic) carriers of hepatitis C; intravenous drug users, people in prison regime; inpatients in psychiatric homes, men who have sex with men, sex workers and indigenous peoples (all ages). The basic vaccination is 3 doses, with an interval of one month between the first and second dose, and six months between the first and third dose. The volume to be applied is 1ml in adults and 0.5 ml in children younger than 11 years, depending on the manufacturer. Immunoglobulin, Human Anti-Hepatitis B (HBIG), is indicated for unvaccinated persons after exposure to the virus in the following situations: newborns of mothers known carriers of HBsAg positive in the first hours of life, accident with skin wound or mucous membrane by instrument sharps contaminated with blood, sexual contact with a person who is seropositive for HBsAg, and sexually abused. At a dose 0.06 ml / kg. (Simultaneously administer the vaccine). Carriers and patients should be advised to avoid the spread of the virus, adopting simple measures, such as use of condoms during sexual intercourse, not donate blood, syringes and needles, avoiding sharing. It is also recommended, consult standards for Reference Centres for Immunobiological Special Recommendations for active and passive immunization in patients with neoplasms and Recommendations for vaccination in HIV-infected persons.