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Hepatitis B - Overview

Definición:

Es la irritación e hinchazón (inflamación) del hígado debido a infección con el virus de la hepatitis B (VHB).

Otros tipos de hepatitis viral abarcan:

Ver también:

Causas:

La infección por hepatitis B se puede propagar a través del contacto con sangre, semen, flujos vaginales y otros fluidos corporales de alguien que ya tiene esta infección.

La infección se puede propagar a través de:

  • Transfusiones de sangre (infrecuente en Estados Unidos)
  • Contacto directo con sangre en escenarios de atención médica
  • Contacto sexual con una persona infectada
  • Tatuajes o acupuntura con agujas o instrumentos que no estén limpios
  • Agujas compartidas al consumir drogas
  • Compartir elementos personales (como cepillo de dientes, máquinas de afeitar y cortauñas) con una persona infectada

El virus de la hepatitis B se le puede transmitir a un bebé durante el parto si la madre está infectada.

Los factores de riesgo que predisponen a la infección por hepatitis B abarcan:

  • Nacer o tener padres que nacieron en regiones con altas tasas de infección (incluyendo Asia, África y el Caribe)
  • Estar infectado con VIH
  • Estar en hemodiálisis
  • Tener múltiples compañeros sexuales
  • Hombres homosexuales

La mayor parte del daño del virus de la hepatitis B ocurre debido a la forma como el cuerpo responde a la infección. Cuando el sistema inmunitario del cuerpo detecta la infección, envía células especiales para combatirla. Sin embargo, estas células que combaten la enfermedad pueden llevar a la inflamación del hígado.

  • Reviewed last on: 11/23/2010
  • David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Dienstag JL. Hepatitis B virus infection. N Engl J Med. 2008;359:1486-1500.

Perrillo R. Hepatitis B and D. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2010:chap 78.

Sorrell MF, Belongia EA, Costa J, Gareen IF, Grem JL, Inadomi JM, et al. National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference Statement: Management of hepatitis B. Ann Intern Med. 2009;150:104-10.

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