Hepatitis B in pregnancy
What are the symptoms?
About 30% of those
infected do not show any symptoms. Symptoms include:
- Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes)
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
Can hepatitis B cause other problems?
There is no cure,
which means that once you get it, it's a lifelong infection. Hepatitis B can
lead to serious liver disease.
How is it transmitted?
Hepatitis B is
transmitted sexually. It can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby
during childbirth.
There are basically
four different transmission methods:
- Sexual activity which includes anal or vaginal intercourse
- Mother to baby during birth
- Contact with infected blood
- Intravenous drug use
How is it diagnosed?
Hepatitis B can be
diagnosed by a doctor with a blood test.
What treatment options are available?
There is currently no
cure. There are medications that can help slow the spread of the virus and
prevent liver damage.
Can this be avoided?
There are several ways to prevent hepatitis B. The first is abstinence from sexual intercourse. Second, be in a long-term monogamous relationship such as marriage. Third, avoid intravenous drug use. There is a vaccination; after that, one of the easiest ways to avoid this disease is vaccination.