what is the hepatitis B Vaccination and why do you need to have it?

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Answers:
Hepatitis-B is an infectious, blood-borne disease which act similarly to the other forms of Hepatitis. There is currently a three-stage vaccination for Hep B, as well as combined vaccinations for A and B.

Especially if you are planning to travel to any of the low latitudes, or to the underdeveloped regions of the world, it is a good vaccine to get, although you might not _need_ it. However, if you have the chance to defend your body against a deadly infectious disease, why not do it?

Other Answers:
Hepatitis, inflammation of the liver, usually due to acute viral infection. It occurs in several forms. Lifelong immunity to the causative virus usually follows an attack, but since several distinct viruses cause the disease—at least five are now known—immunity to one type does not confer immunity to the others.

Previously called serum hepatitis, hepatitis B can be transmitted by intimate sexual contact, as well as from a mother to a foetus or newborn baby. Hepatitis B is also transmitted by injections transporting a virus-bearing serum, most often during blood transfusion, by contaminated needles and syringes used medically or for injecting drugs, and by acupuncture or tattooing. The virus is also present in other body fluids, such as semen, vaginal fluid, saliva, and tears.

Hepatitis B can cause lifelong infection and lead to cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, and liver failure. It causes more than 250,000 deaths each year worldwide with the highest incidence in Africa, south-eastern Asia, Alaska, China, and the Amazon. In 2000 there were 565 cases reported in the United Kingdom which, compared with the 1984 figure of 3,000, represents a decline—although many cases go unreported.

In 1965 Baruch Samuel Blumberg, an American research scientist, identified a viral component (known as the Australia antigen) that determines whether a sample of blood can transmit hepatitis B. All samples of blood intended for transfusion are now routinely tested for the antigen; this has greatly reduced the incidence of post-transfusion hepatitis.

In 1977 an Italian doctor, Mario Rizzetto, identified a virus—now called the delta hepatitis virus—that cannot replicate on its own and requires the presence of the hepatitis-B virus to be transmitted. The delta virus occurs worldwide and has caused major epidemics; this form of the disease, sometimes called hepatitis D, can also become chronic and lead to liver failure.

Three more types of hepatitis have also been identified. Also known as non-A, non-B hepatitis, hepatitis C is mainly transmitted by infected blood and blood products, by contaminated syringes, or less commonly, in body fluids through sexual contact. It is caused by a virus that has now been cloned, and is the most common cause of post-transfusion hepatitis. About half of hepatitis C sufferers may suffer persistent infection. There is no vaccine available.

Hepatitis E is, like hepatitis A, transmitted in contaminated drinking water and can cause an epidemic form of the disease in tropical areas. There is no vaccine available. Hepatitis G virus is blood-borne; groups at risk include IV drug users and those who have been infected frequently with hepatitis C virus.

V SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of all forms begin with fever, usually followed by extreme weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and muscle pains. The upper abdomen may be painful and tender. Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of eyes) appears gradually, reaching maximum intensity at two weeks. Convalescence may take up to six months. Hepatitis C, however, may be without symptoms. In about 5 per cent of victims the disease goes on to a chronic form. The fatality rate from all types of hepatitis is about 1 per cent but may be higher for hepatitis B, especially when co-infection by delta virus is also present.

VI PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

A Hepatitis A

Vaccines made from inactivated hepatitis A viruses provide long-term protection against hepatitis A and are recommended prior to travelling to a large number of countries; two doses of the vaccine are usually administered. Hepatitis immunoglobulin (HBIG), a preparation of antibodies (passive immunization), is sometimes used for short-term protection against hepatitis A and for people who have already been exposed. It has to be given within two weeks of exposure for maximum protection.

B Hepatitis B

Avoidance of risk behaviour and immunization of groups most at risk are the main preventive measures against hepatitis B. An effective vaccine that prevents hepatitis B is available to groups at risk, from, for example, GUM (genital-urinary medicine) clinics. Although its use has remained limited because of its cost, it is recommended for health-care workers, sexually active homosexual men, and others who may be exposed to blood that may contain the virus. This genetically engineered hepatitis B vaccine is used as active immunization (that is, containing a form of the infectious micro-organism to stimulate antibodies) and is effective for up to five years. It is usually given as a series of two to three injections over a period of two months, after which blood antibody levels are checked. In addition to this preventive treatment HBIG is used as passive immunization vaccine following exposure and is usually administered in combination with hepatitis B vaccine. For a person who has been accidentally stuck by a needle contaminated with the virus, administration of HBIG greatly reduces the chance of developing the illness. HBIG must be given no later than a week following exposure.

Recombinant alpha interferon, a naturally occurring antiviral substance now marketed as a genetically engineered drug, has been effective in treating many patients with chronic hepatitis C and some patients with chronic hepatitis B. No treatment is available for acute viral hepatitis.

so for prventing the Hapatitis we have to use Happatiis B Vaccination one injection first time then one more injection after one month then the final one after six month .

thanks for further information you can contact me on ad786_alcatel@yahoo.com or you can call me on 0093799990020.

Regards

Assad.

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what is the hepatitis B Vaccination and why do you need to have it?

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