Hepatitis B (HBv) is an appropriate model for
illustrating the risk assessment process. HBv is among the most ubiquitous of human
pathogens and most prevalent of laboratory-associated infections. The agent has been
demonstrated in a variety of body secretions and excretions. Blood, saliva, and
semen have been shown to contain the virus. Natural transmission is associated with
inoculation or with contamination of broken skin or mucous membranes with
infectious body fluids. There is no evidence of airborne or interpersonal spread
through casual contact. Prophylactic measures include the use of a licensed vaccine
in high-risk groups and the use of hepatitis B immune globulin following overt exposures.
Hepatitis is an inflammatory disease that results from the destruction of patches of liver
tissue and is one of the most common of all liver diseases. Most hepatitis is caused
by virus', but alcohol, drugs, and a variety of vial, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic
infections can cause liver inflammation.
Different viruses-- A, B, and non A, non B cause viral hepatitis. Hepatitis A virus
is shed from the body through the intestinal tract and is spread mostly by consuming foods
that have been contaminated with some sort of fecal contact. Epidemics of hepatitis A may
occur by consumption of shellfish taken from polluted waters. This disease also
may be contracted by direct physical contact with a person with an active infection.
After being infected, a person produces antibodies against this disease, which are
protective for life. Studies have found antibodies against hepatitis A in people who
have not had clinical symptoms of the disease, indicating that many people have mild
hepatitis A without knowing it.
Hepatitis B, sometimes referred to as serum hepatitis, is spread by Direct blood
contact. At one time, blood transfusions were the most common source of
hepatitis B, but this has changed with the development of a screening test that can
identify contaminated blood. Today the used of contaminated needles by drug abusers
is a more common source of the disease. The disease may be spread by other direct
contact; sexual contact, particularly among homosexuals, is a common example. The incubation
period for hepatitis A is about 2-6 weeks, and can vary from 4 to 25 weeks for B
and non-A, non-B types.
Hepatitis B is generally the more serious form of the disease. A large number of
hepatitis B patient also develop a chronic, subacute form of the disease without obvious
symptoms. In some people, the subacute form of the disease without obvious
symptoms. In some people, the subcute hepatitis is relatively benign; in others, however,
there is continuing liver damage that may progress to cirrhosis or liver cancer.
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