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Infectious Disease

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Hepatitis is a term that simply means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis may be caused by a virus or a toxin such as alcohol. There are other viruses that can injury the liver cells they are hepatitis A and hepatitis C viruses, These viruses are not related to each other or to hepatitis B virus and they differ in their structure, also in the way they are spread among individuals, also in the severity of symptoms that they can cause along with the way they are treated. In the United States alone the rates of new infection were the highest among people aged 25to 44 years and lowest among those younger than 15 years of age. This reflects that the major of transmission of hepatitis B is through sexual transmission, illicit drug use, and exposure to infected blood. The good news is that there has been a 75% decrease in newly diagnosed cases of hepatitis B during the past decade. The decrease is attributed to increased vaccination and heightened public awareness of HIV/ AIDS this has resulted in safer sexual practices. When a person first gets hepatitis B this is an ‘acute’ infection. Most people are able to let the virus run its course and this will cure the infection. Then there are some which can not clear the infection this is called ‘chronic hepatitis B this usually life-long.
Hepatitis B is spread mainly by exposure to infected blood or body secretion in the infected individual. The virus can be found in semen, vaginal discharge, Breast milk, and saliva. Hepatitis B is not spread through water, food, and or casual contact. The most common transmission is sexual contact, followed by using contaminated needles for injection of illicit drugs, tattooing, body piercing. Also Hepatitis B can be transmitted through sharing razors and toothbrushes that are contaminated with infected fluids or blood. Rarely is hepatitis B transmitted through transfused blood products, donated livers and other organ. Organ and blood donors are routinely screened for hepatitis B. The symptoms of acute hepatitis B occur during the first one to four months after acquiring the virus. Only 30%to 50% of adults develop significant symptoms during acute infection (www.medicinemet.com). The early symptoms may be non –specific, including fever, joint pain and flu-like symptoms along with fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and jaundice and pain in the upper right side of the abdomen. Interferon- alpha has been used to treat hepatitis B for more than 20 years. Interferon-alpha is a natural protein that is made in the body by white blood cells to combat viral infections. Interferon stimulates the body’s immune system to clear up the virus. Still all in all there is no cure for Hepatitis. According to “Dr. Altshuler” he recommends an herbal formula to cleanse and detoxify the blood and liver. This would consist of using the first formula of milk thistle, Picrorhiza kurroa root, dandelion root and beef leaf or artichoke. Then you should continue with another formula that contains all or some of Oregon grape root, cayenne, chaparral, red clover, burdock root, goldenseal, yellow dock, bloodroot, mistletoe, periwinkle, flowers, lobelia seeds and sheep sorrel. Also “Dr. Altshuler” recommends a colon detoxification and the continued use of milk thistle. Hepatitis B is a preventable disease by having the vaccination and using post-exposure prophylaxis this has significantly reduced the rate of infection. Also risk can be reduced by avoiding unprotected sex, contaminated needles, and other sources of infection. In the healthcare field the workers are required to have the Hepatitis B vaccines. This vaccine is effective and safe up to 95% for the individuals.
In many communities there are health departments where people can get vaccinated against Hepatitis B virus with no cost to the person or a low cost to them. Also at the local health department’s people can get free condoms so they can have safe sex. Also they offer for diabetes free needle disposal so needles are taken out of the garbage’s. This is one of the way that illegal drugs are being used. Now we can see how important it is to get vaccinated against Hepatitis B this is a preventive virus. It is very important to make sure that we are aware of how to prevent getting exposed to this virus. If you are exposed to this virus you must reminder that there is no cure for these viruses it must run it course.

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