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Hepatitis B

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Hepatitis B- Benchmark

Brandy Barlow

Grand Canyon University: NRS-427V-O508

January 11, 2015

Hepatitis B- Benchmark Hepatitis B is a viral infection that targets the liver and is caused by the hepatitis B virus. It can cause both acute and chronic disease within the body. Hepatitis or Hep B is an infection of the liver that can be deadly. It causes inflammation of the liver and is a major health problem all over the globe. Chronic liver disease and chronic infections put people at higher risk of death from cirrhosis of the liver and or liver cancer. The majority of people with Hep B do not have any symptoms during the actual infection phase. There are those however, that experience jaundice (yellowing of the skin), dark colored urine, increased fatigue, nausea, with or without vomiting, and abdominal pain. Symptoms of hepatitis B may not show up for 6 months after the initial infection. Early onset of symptoms may include: loss of appetite, fatigue, low grade fever, muscle and joint pain. An infected person may have no symptoms, they may feel sick for a day up to weeks, or they may become very ill very quickly. This is called fulminant hepatitis. (Hepatitis B, 2013, pg. 1). Complications may arise in some people causing a chronic liver infection that can become cirrhosis or liver cancer. At least ninety percent of healthy adults that contract the Hepatitis B virus recover and are rid of it within six months. Hep B can be transmitted to others even if the infected person shows no signs of the virus. Hepatitis B is transmitted via blood and body fluids such as: seminal fluids, vaginal fluids, and saliva to name a few. A person can become exposed after being stuck with a contaminated needle, if any blood or bodily fluids come into contact with your skin, eyes, or mouth.
People who may be at risk of hepatitis B are those who: * Have unprotected

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