Things You Need to Know About Hepatitis B and Testing
Hepatitis B is just one of the sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that are common around the world.
Unlike some of the other STDs, this one affects the liver, leaving you feeling sick, losing appetite, flu like symptoms and yellow jaundice colored skin.
The problem is that thousands of people walk around with this disease without ever knowing they have it. This makes it easy to pass on to others, who may have some or all of the symptoms, ranging from acute symptoms to chronic symptoms.
Hepatitis B, like other STD’s are transferred through bodily fluids and blood, which means that you need to be exceptionally careful whether you’re having unprotected sex with a new partner or you are using drugs, maybe having unprotected sex with someone who uses drugs. These are all potential ways to contract this disease.
Hepatitis B testing is conducted using a blood test. The test picks up the Hepatitis B proteins in the blood. In some cases, medical professionals will also add a liver function tests to the testing to ensure there is no serious liver damage.
Those with the disease can expect it to remain in their systems anywhere from one to three months, this is called acute. During this time it’s important to take medication as prescribed and refrain from sexual activity, reducing the risk of passing the disease onto someone else. If you do choose to have sex during this time, a condom must be used.
In chronic cases, the person with the disease can have the disease for six months if not longer, this is often seen in babies and younger children, but also in those who never realized they had the disease in the first place and have had no signs or symptoms until the later stages.
It’s imperative when you have Hepatitis B testing that you take precautions to reduce the risk of contracting this disease. Testing should be done if you feel you may have been exposed, this can be having a new sexual partner to sharing needles with other drug users. Those who have sexual partners that are drug users are also at high risk of this disease.
The Hepatitis B testing is a simple and quick test with fast results. You can book your test online or visit one of the thousands of laboratories throughout the world for your test. Ensure when choosing a laboratory that they take your confidentially seriously, it doesn’t matter what test you are having done, you want to keep it private.
Before any test you should meet with a care advisor or counsellor who should explain the testing procedure in detail. They should also advise you on the possible outcomes and how to manage these outcomes.
Once the testing is completed, you will wait to hear from the company or laboratory on your results, you may have to go back and receive your results in person. If you are positive the counsellor will discuss your options and advise you of signs and symptoms you may experience, remember not everyone experiences symptoms when it comes to this STD.
If medications are recommended, the counsellor will call in a medical professional to provide you with a prescription. They will also advise you on how long you need to refrain from sex and educate you on safe sex to reduce the risk of you contracting the disease again in the future.
Taking precautionary steps is the best way to reduce the risk of ever contracting this disease. But if at any stage, you feel you may have been infected, choose Hepatitis B testing to be sure.