The most common liver disease is, Hepatitis, which means "inflammation of the liver", the most widespread cause is infection with the Hepatitis virus. Other causes include drinking too much alcohol, the side effects of various drugs and chemicals. There are several Hepatitis viruses; the main ones are Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. Hepatitis A (HAV) can be transmitted directly or indirectly to each other by ingesting an infected person's food or drink, besides poor oral hygiene, and contact with the faeces of an infected person.
Hepatitis B (HBV) is caused by the hepatitis B virus and infected blood upon entering the bloodstream, for example, open wounds, cuts or scratches, or from a contaminated needle, such as sharing injecting paraphernalia or body piercing. Transmission is possible by receiving medical/dental treatment where equipment has not been sterilized properly.
Unprotected sex with an infected person is another cause; furthermore a HBV mother can transmit the virus to their babies during pregnancy and childbirth or during breastfeeding. Hepatitis C (HCV) sharing injecting equipment can be a cause since it is likely to be contaminated with blood. HCV is frequently acquired by direct blood-to-blood contact and is the commonest mode of transmission in the United Kingdom (Shafer, K. 1979), both sexual and perinatal transmission can occur but these are less efficient modes of transmission.
Hepatitis D (HDV) is spread through having contact with infected blood, contaminated needles or by having unprotected sex with a HDV infected person (the risk factors are similar to those for HBV.
Hepatitis E (HEV) is transmitted similarly to HAV, from person to person by eating food or drinking water contaminated with the virus. HEV is also passed out in the faeces of an infected person. .
Healthy liver
Liver diseased with Hepatitis B
After the HBV virus enters the body, there are no symptoms for one to six months (known as the incubation period); countless people never have symptoms. However, some people may only have mild symptoms and therefore are not aware that they have been infected they can pass on the virus to others.
There may be general symptoms such as:
•Flu-like symptoms
•Fever
•Fatigue
•Nausea
•Vomiting blood
•Loss of appetite
•Abdominal pain radiating to the back
•Diarrhea
•Light/grey coloured stools
•Dark urine
•Jaundice
People who are most at risk of becoming infected with HBV are: injecting drug users, babies born to infected mothers, also through breast milk, family members and partners of an infected person. Healthcare workers who have direct contact with blood, for example, doctors, dentists, nurses and midwives who are also at risk from needle-sticks, tattooing, ear piercing and acupuncture are also risks. People who live and work in accommodation for people with severe learning difficulties, prisoners, people traveling to countries where the virus is common, and people who have unprotected sex with infected people, furthermore male homosexual behaviour is high risk. Another risk is having a blood transfusion and treatment with infected blood products .
Discuss the prevention measures which should be taken by Health Care Workers
to prevent the spread of Hepatitis B, e.g. theater /labour
Health care staff carrying out clinical procedures should at all times observe written polices produced by there employing authority. Each team should discuss the hazards involved in their current methods of working and ways of reducing these hazards. This process should include a consideration of the risks to others involved by such activities as the disposal of sharps, bodies, tissues, body fluids, and contaminated disposable items and the maintenance of equipment. The team should be encouraged to devise safe, and reasonably practicable procedures and routines for performing each task, ensure they are followed after appropriate training and keep them under active review.
The appropriate level of precautions to be taken
Although there is no cure for HBV, there is a safe and effective vaccine that
can prevent this virus, which can be administered in three vaccinations, this
is the best way to reduce the risk of getting (HBV).
Dose One:Upon Request
Dose Two:1 month after first dose
Dose Three:6 months after first dose
There are approaches that should be taken to reduce the risk of infection these
include, not having unprotected anal and vaginal sex with someone, especially
an infected person or somebody who may carry a high risk for HBV transmission.
Anal sex is especially risky because it can result in tiny tears or cuts in
the rectum viruses can enter the body more easily through these tears in the
skin. Unprotected oral sex carries a lower risk but is not risk-free. The most
reliable way to avoid transmission of HBV is to abstain from sexual intercourse
vaginal, oral, or anal sex or to be in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship
with an uninfected partner. Condoms should be made from latex or polyurethane,
condoms made from animal tissue ("natural skin" condoms) are not recommended,
because viruses can pass through microscopic pores in these condoms. The use
of drugs or alcohol can increase the risk for getting HBV, as people under their
influence may be less cautious about practicing safer sex. Do not share needles
or intravenous drugs alongside drug bits and pieces. Avoiding skin piercing
or tattoos is also recommended, in such cases ensure disposable needles are
used and come straight out of a sterile packet. Care should be taken when handling
any objects that may have HBV infected blood on them such as razors, toothbrushes,
nail clippers and sanitary napkins. Furthermore there are steps an infected
person or carrier can do for themselves these include plenty of rest, drink
plenty of fluids, eat a high-protein diet to repair damaged cells, and eat a
high-carbohydrate diet to protect the liver. Since April 2000, all pregnant
women in the UK are tested for HBV if they are infected; the baby is given a
course of injections of antibodies called immunoglobulin and vaccinated immediately
after birth. A person should consult their doctor if they have any of the previously
described symptoms that linger. Liver disease could be detected during a physical
examination by tapping the abdomen on the top will reveal any enlargement of
the liver. Gently pressing along the border will reveal if it feels soft, firm
or hard, smooth or nodular, painless or tender. The normal liver will be smooth,
not shrunken, nor enlarged and is not tender. Blood tests may detect early liver
disease and liver function tests may well show a distinct pattern of abnormalities.
A Liver Biopsy can identify the precise type of damage. Hepatitis is a very
serious disease as the virus will attack the liver and destroy all of its functions
carriers may develop chronic hepatitis, which can lead to cirrhosis of the liver
and death due to liver failure. Furthermore, chronic HBV carriers are more likely
than others to get liver cancer.