Chronic hepatitis B is one of the common problems in Chicago, IL. The disease is a chronic infection that affects the liver. The condition leads to the scarring of the organ. It also leads to liver failure and liver cancer (Wu et al., 2014). The condition can lead to death if not treated early enough. According to Wu et al. (2014), the disease can easily be transmitted via body fluids. Such fluids include blood. Statistics show that many people in Chicago, including children and adults, are infected by the disease (Wu et al., 2014). The disease can spread through sex (Chon et al., 2012). It is associated with a number of symptoms. They include, among others, fatigue and poor appetite. Causes of the disease include prolonged use of some medicines, such as isoniazid. Drugs used after an organ transplant can also lead to this disease (Wu et al., 2014).
People with a weak immune system, those living with HIV, and those on medication for cancer are at a high risk of contracting the disease. A section of people in Chicago is affected by HIV. As such, they are predisposed to chronic hepatitis B. The development of the illness is affected by the lifestyle adopted by people in the region. Cancer and liver problems are some of the common health problems associated with lifestyle. Hepatitis B and hepatitis E virus can cause the problem. Blood tests can be used to diagnose the disease (Chon et al., 2012). A liver biopsy can also be used to determine the extent of the problem. Medicines are used to treat the problem. However, according to CDC, the prevalence of the disease has dropped due to increased public awareness.
References
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Wu, J., Tsai, W., Tung, Y., Chen, H., Ni, Y., Hsu, H., & Chang, M. (2014). Role of serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate level on the clearance of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Journal of Gastroenterology, 49(5), 900-906.