In some people, the immune system attacks hepatitis B infected liver cells in an attempt to eliminate the virus, resulting in liver inflammation and irritation. This means that some people will go on to develop chronic hepatitis B infection that might persist for many years with little or no damage to their liver, while others might incur damage to the liver. The way a person’s immune system interacts with the virus differs between individuals and over time. Many individuals learn of their hepatitis B infection only at the time of routine screening or as part of investigating the cause of other abnormal lab tests. The risk of developing chronic hepatitis B if exposed as a newborn is relatively high (unless vaccination occurs at time of birth), but it is very low if exposed as an adult. Although the virus is sometimes detected in saliva, the risk of transmitting the virus through contact with saliva that is not visibly bloody is exceedingly low, and the virus does not spread through sharing of utensils, kissing, hugging, or other casual contact. Blood-to-blood contact may occur through sharing of personal hygiene items (such as razors and toothbrushes), sharing of drug paraphernalia, and through contact with open wounds. The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is transmitted through blood-to-blood contact, unprotected sexual activity with an infected person (the virus is found in semen and vaginal fluid), and can be passed from mothers with hepatitis B to their newborns at the time of birth. Fewer than 1% of those living in Canada have chronic hepatitis B. Approximately 30% of the global population shows evidence of past or present infection, but only about 5% of these individuals develop chronic hepatitis B. Although many people will eliminate the virus and develop lasting immunity, some will develop ongoing infection, known as chronic hepatitis B. After exposure to the hepatitis B virus, infection begins as acute hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is one of many viruses that can damage the liver. Although the liver is a very resilient organ that has the ability to repair itself, it is susceptible to damage from many different sources, including viruses, toxins, inherited conditions, and even our body’s own immune system. It synthesizes proteins that are essential for our body to function, including those that help blood to clot when we bleed. It metabolizes nutrients and other substances such as medications. Although liver size depends on a person’s age, body size, shape, gender, and disease state, it is about the size of a football in most adults. The liver is the largest solid internal organ and it is located underneath the ribcage in the right upper part of the abdomen. Click here to download a PDF of this information.
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