hepatitis b
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A serious liver infection: Hepatitis B is a specific, acute form of viral hepatitis. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which is a DNA virus.
- A potentially persistent infection: The virus has a characteristic tendency to remain in a person's blood serum for a long time.
- A disease with specific transmission routes: It is spread through contact with infected bodily fluids, primarily via sexual contact, transfusion of contaminated blood, or ingestion of contaminated blood or other fluids.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The patient was diagnosed with hepatitis B after a routine blood screening.
- Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent hepatitis B.
- Chronic hepatitis B requires long-term medical management.
Advanced Usage
- "acute hepatitis B": Refers to the initial, short-term infection phase.
- Most adults recover fully from acute hepatitis B.
- "chronic hepatitis B": Refers to a long-lasting infection where the virus persists in the body for more than six months.
- Chronic hepatitis B can lead to serious liver complications like cirrhosis.
- "hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)": A key protein on the virus's surface used to diagnose an active infection.
- A positive test for HBsAg indicates a current hepatitis B infection.
Variants and Related Words
- HBV: The standard abbreviation for the hepatitis B virus.
- The HBV vaccine is part of the standard childhood immunization schedule.
- Hepatitis: The broader category of liver inflammation, which includes types A, B, C, D, and E.
- Hepatitis has several causes, including viruses and alcohol.
Synonyms
- Serum hepatitis: An older, less common term for hepatitis B, highlighting its presence in blood serum.
Related Phrases
- Hepatitis B carrier: A person who has the hepatitis B virus in their blood and can potentially transmit it to others, even if they show no symptoms.
- As a hepatitis B carrier, she undergoes regular liver function tests.
- Hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG): A medication given after exposure to the virus to provide temporary, immediate protection.
- The healthcare worker received HBIG after a needlestick injury from an infected patient.
Noun
- an acute (sometimes fatal) form of viral hepatitis caused by a DNA virus that tends to persist in the blood serum and is transmitted by sexual contact or by transfusion or by ingestion of contaminated blood or other bodily fluids