Some viruses may hide inside the body without you realizing it, the most famous of which is the inactive hepatitis B virus, which was discovered by chance, and through studies conducted in the past few years, it was noted that its spread in Middle Eastern countries increased from medium to high, due to its inactivity and the number of frightening symptoms that appear at first. In this article, let us learn about this virus, its symptoms, ways to detect it and how to deal with it.
What is inactive hepatitis B virus?
Inactive hepatitis B virus Inactive Hepatitis B Virus It is a chronic condition that means the virus is present inside the body without the virus carrier showing any noticeable activity. At this stage, liver enzymes may remain normal, and the virus load remains very low, but it remains capable of reactivation in the event of weak immunity or other triggers.
Symptoms of a patient with inactive hepatitis B virus
There are no noticeable symptoms that appear in a patient with inactive hepatitis B virus. Rather, this condition is characterized by the following:
- Absence of clinical symptoms, most patients do not feel any signs of illness.
- Liver enzymes appear at a normal level, and this is what distinguishes an inactive virus from an active one.
- The viral load is low and this appears in the level of the virus's DNA.
- In rare cases, the patient may feel mild pain in the right part of the abdomen along with constant fatigue without exertion.
How is dormant hepatitis B virus detected?
Below we learn about the most important methods that help detect the virus:
1. Antibody test
It is a test to detect Anti-HBc and Anti-HBs antibodies in the blood to determine the immune status and the age or recentness of infection with the virus.
2. Routine tests
The doctor may discover the infection during routine tests, such as a regular blood test before marriage or when donating blood, as the HBsAg appears positive, which confirms infection with the virus.
3. Liver function tests
In case of doubt, the doctor may use liver function tests to measure the level of liver enzymes, and in some cases they may appear in the low range, which indicates the inactivity of the virus.
4.Measuring viral load
Measuring the HBV DNA viral load is sometimes used to determine the amount of hepatitis virus in the blood, and when it appears at a low level, it means that the virus is inactive.
5. Imaging examination when needed
An imaging examination may sometimes help in detecting the virus, such as doing an ultrasound or examining the liver fibers to ensure that there is no cirrhosis in the liver or chronic inflammation.
6. Medical history and examination
After conducting tests or when there is suspicion that the person carrying the virus is infected, the doctor begins to ask about the presence of a previous infection in the family, or if the person was exposed to a blood transfusion or contact with contaminated blood. All of this information is useful in confirming the diagnosis.
Al Mousa Specialist Hospital owns the best and largest laboratory in Al-Ahsa, which helps in diagnosing and confirming inactive hepatitis B virus infection through the latest medical devices and technologies. The laboratory is also supervised by an elite group of the best doctors and specialists. They work around the clock to serve the people of the Kingdom and expatriates and provide accurate medical care.
Learn about: Methods of treating viral hepatitis and how to prevent it
How are cases of inactive hepatitis B virus treated?
If cases of inactive hepatitis B virus are discovered, whether within a family member or a friend, they must be dealt with according to the following instructions:
- Do not share personal tools such as razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers, etc.
- A safe sexual relationship if one of the spouses is infected by using a condom during intercourse.
- Handle the patient's blood with caution. Cover it well and use gloves to help clean the wounds.
- Handling daily activities such as hand shaking or eating and drinking at one table without sharing utensils.
- It is necessary to conduct periodic tests for those in contact and give them the vaccine to ensure that the infection does not spread among family members.
- Continuous awareness of the family without embarrassing the patient. Individuals must be educated about the real ways of infection so that they deal with the patient normally.
Does dormant hepatitis B virus require treatment?
No, in most cases, dormant hepatitis B virus does not require treatment, but only periodic medical follow-up, and following advice to prevent reactivation. In some cases, doctors may recommend supportive treatment by monitoring liver function regularly, with some medications that help the liver if there is slight fibrosis or inflammation, or there is a frequent increase in liver enzymes.
7 tips to prevent reactivation of dormant hepatitis B virus
Here, dear reader, are the 7 most important tips to prevent reactivation of the dormant hepatitis B virus, presented to you by the doctors at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital:
1. Regular medical follow-up
Ensure regular medical follow-up by performing a liver function test (ALT-AST) and checking the virus load at intervals as determined by the specialist doctor, in order to detect the activity of the virus from the beginning.
2. Complete compliance with the doctor’s instructions
Do not try to stop taking treatment or continuing treatment suddenly, even if you feel better in your health. You must fully adhere to the doctor’s instructions, because stopping suddenly or neglecting treatment may lead to reactivation of the virus.
3. Avoid medications that stress the liver
Taking many medications without a prescription causes great liver stress, especially painkillers and herbal medications for weight loss that have not received an official permit from the Ministry of Health. They are a real disaster that exhausts the liver and helps deteriorate the condition.
4. Avoid drinking alcohol
Drinking alcohol destroys the liver and various organs of the body, and it also makes it easier for the virus to transform from inactive to active because it affects the liver cells and destroys them over time.
5. Follow a healthy lifestyle
Maintain an ideal weight by following a healthy, balanced diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, and always try to engage in moderate physical activity, while sleeping enough hours and taking care of the body’s biological clock, all of which helps in enhancing and strengthening immunity.
6. Act quickly when a new offer appears
If a sudden or new symptom appears, do not wait and go immediately to the doctor, especially if you notice signs such as yellowing of the eyes and skin, severe nausea, constant fatigue, or right-sided abdominal pain, as these may be signs of virus activation.
7. Vaccination against other liver viruses
Try to get vaccinations for other liver viruses, such as the hepatitis A vaccine, because it protects the liver from additional infection that weakens it and facilitates the activity of the virus.
Book your consultation now at مركز أمراض الجهاز الهضمي At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital.
Frequently asked questions
Below we answer the most frequently asked questions that we receive from our website followers:
Is it possible to marry with inactive hepatitis B virus infection?
Yes, it is possible to marry with an inactive hepatitis B virus, but under conditions, the first of which is to give the uninfected partner 3 doses of the hepatitis B vaccine before marriage, and to use a condom during intimate relations to increase prevention.
Is inactive hepatitis B virus transmitted from mother to child?
Yes, inactive hepatitis B virus is transmitted to the child during birth even if the virus is inactive. Therefore, when infection is discovered, it is necessary to give the newborn the hepatitis B vaccine along with HBIG immune antibody injections 12 hours before birth.
How often should tests be performed for inactive hepatitis B virus?
Periodic tests must be performed to monitor the inactive virus every 6 to 12 months, including analysis of liver enzymes and viral load. In some cases, the doctor may request tests every 3 to 6 months.
Contact the specialist doctors at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital if you suspect that you are infected with the inactive hepatitis B virus, in order to begin prevention measures early before it turns into an active virus, and be assured that you will receive the best medical care ever through accurately diagnosing the infection, creating an organized treatment and preventive plan, and medical follow-up until recovery.
Inactive Carriers of Hepatitis B Virus – elsevier
