A Reading on

NEWBORN ASSESSMENT

In Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements in NCM 204 RLE

COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING ROTATION

Submitted to:

MRS. MAE ANN E. CANON, RN, MAN

Clinical Instructor

MR. ELIACHEM JONES C. SERENADO

Practicing Clinical Instructor

Submitted by:

ELIAM JAN M. BAJAO

BSN 2J – GROUP 1, SUBGROUP 1

October 14, 2021

Article Title: Hepatitis B: Causes, symptoms, and treatment

Bibliography: Davis, K. (2019, November 7). Hepatitis B: Causes, symptoms, and
treatment. Retrieved from
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/306288

Summary

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes liver infection called hepatitis B. It might be

severe and resolve without treatment. However, it can be chronic and could lead to
cirrhosis and liver cancer. HBV can infect the liver and cause inflammation. A person
can be infected with HBV and transfer the virus to others without even realizing it. Some
people have no symptoms at all. In chronic cases, the virus attacks the liver for an
extended period of time without being detected, causing irreparable liver damage. HBV
infections occur during infancy or childhood. This is because HBV can be passed from a
mother to her child during childbirth. Acute symptoms develop 60–150 days after
exposure to the virus, and they can last from few weeks to six months. A person with a
chronic HBV infection may experience abdominal pain, tiredness, and aching joints on a
regular basis. There is no cure for HBV at this time, but receiving the vaccine can help
prevent infection. A medical examination and a liver ultrasound every 6–12 months are
required for people with a chronic HBV infection. This monitoring can help doctors figure
out if the damage to the liver is progressing or if the situation is worsening. A blood test
can help a doctor diagnose HBV infection, both acute and chronic.

For hepatitis B during pregnancy, the mother should inform the doctor that they
have HBV. This drastically lowers their chances of developing HBV. It is safe to have
the HBV vaccine when pregnant. A vaccine against HBV has been available since
1982. The HBV vaccine is administered in three doses. The first injection can be given
at any age, however it is recommended that babies receive it soon after birth. The
second shot should occur at least 1 month after the first. Adults should wait at least 8
weeks after the second dose and 16 weeks after the first to receive the third dose. The
third dose should not be given to infants until they are 24 weeks old. According to the
World Health Organization (WHO), “the complete vaccine series induces protective
antibody levels” in over 95% of the infants, children, and adolescents who receive it. In
healthy people, HBV vaccine can last for at least 30 years. That said, research into the
vaccine's ability to provide long-term protection is still going. Despite the fact that HBV is
a major public health concern around the world, the vaccine provides adequate
protection against the virus for the vast majority of people.

Reaction

Hepatitis B can develop into a serious disease that can cause long-term health
problems such as liver damage, liver failure, liver cancer, and even death. Even if their
signs and symptoms are severe, most adults with hepatitis B recover fully. Hepatitis B is
new to me. The article was informative since it explained what is hepatitis B and what
are the symptoms. It also shows the transmission of the virus when blood, sperm, or
other bodily fluid from a virus-infected person enters the body of someone who does not
have the virus. Currently, there’s no cure for HBV, but getting vaccinated can prevent
initial infection. This article gave me additional knowledge about Hepatitis B that my
patient might have and what should be the proper nursing intervention. Also, as I
searched for the interventions, if hepatitis B is acute, meaning it is short-lived and will go
away on its own so it may not need treatment. Instead, the doctor will recommend rest,
proper nutrition and plenty of fluids while your body fights the infection. Looking forward
for further research where scientists will soon develop the cure for Hepatitis B.
Reference