July 2025 – Centre for Family Health Initiative

MONDAY HEALTH BURST ON HEPATITIS B: SYMPTOMS, AND CAUSES

Monday Health Burst, WHO / cfhinitiative

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic diseases. Having chronic hepatitis B raises your risk of getting liver cancer, liver failure, or cirrhosis, which permanently scars the liver.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 254 million people were living with chronic Hepatitis B infection as of 2022, with approximately 1.2 million new cases occurring annually.

SYMPTOMS
Hepatitis B may occasionally go undetected without any obvious signs. This is common among children.Acute hepatitis B symptoms can start to show about 1 to 4 months after contact with the virus. Some of these symptoms include:
• Weakness and exhaustion
• Appetite loss
• Vomiting
• Jaundice
• Clay-colored stool
• The aching in one’s joints

CAUSES:
According to MayoClinic, the causes of Hepatitis B include:
• Sexual contact: It is possible to contract hepatitis B if one engages in unprotected sexual activity with an infected individual. The virus can be transmitted through bodily fluids such as blood, saliva, semen, or vaginal secretions.
• Sharing of needles/Accidental needle sticks: HBV easily spreads through needles and syringes contaminated with infected blood. Sharing IV drug paraphernalia puts one at high risk of hepatitis B.
• Mother to child: Pregnant women infected with HBV can pass the virus to their babies during childbirth. However, the newborn can be vaccinated to avoid getting infected in almost all cases. It is advisable to discuss with a healthcare provider the option of getting tested for hepatitis B if you are pregnant or planning to conceive.

Monday Health Burst is an initiative of CFHI to address issues of basic health concern. Join us every Monday on all our social media platforms for more episodes.

References:

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MONDAY HEALTH BURST ON OVERVIEW OF HEPATITIS- DEFINITION, TYPES, AND CAUSES OF HEPATITIS

WHO / cfhinitiative

Your liver is one of your body’s hardest-working organs, filtering toxins, processing nutrients, and supporting overall health. Yet, hepatitis an inflammation of the liver threatens its function and often progresses without early warning signs.

The Main Types of Hepatitis:

Hepatitis A: Spread through contaminated food or water. Usually short-term and preventable with a vaccine.
Hepatitis B: Passed through blood, sexual contact, or from mother to child at birth. Can become chronic and cause serious liver disease. A safe vaccine offers strong protection.
Hepatitis C: Often silent at first, it spreads mainly through blood and can lead to chronic liver damage. No vaccine exists yet, but effective treatments can cure it.
Hepatitis D: Only occurs alongside hepatitis B and makes the disease more severe. Preventable through hepatitis B vaccination.
Hepatitis E: Typically found in areas with poor sanitation, spread through contaminated water. Usually resolves on its own but can be risky during pregnancy.

Other Causes of Hepatitis Include:

Excessive alcohol consumption
Certain medications or toxins
Autoimmune conditions

Hepatitis often goes unnoticed until significant liver damage has occurred. Early testing, safe lifestyle choices, and vaccination where available are vital for prevention and protection.

Protect your liver, stay informed, practice good hygiene, avoid risky behaviors, and seek medical advice for screening or vaccination. Your liver deserves the best care.

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