Hepatitis B Assignment Discussion Paper

Posted: November 30th, 2022

Hepatitis B Assignment Discussion Paper

Assignment: Write a scholarly paper in which you apply the concepts of epidemiology and nursing research to a communicable disease- Hepatitis B Epidemiology Paper Requirements Include the following in your assignment: A thorough description of the disease (hepatitis B) including causes, mode of transmission, symptoms, treatment and complications. Discuss the demographic most affected-incidence, prevalence, morbidity and mortality. What are the determinants of health affecting this disease? https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/about/foundation-health-measures/Determinants-of-Health. Identify the epidemiologic triad including host, agent and environmental factors as related to this disease. Discuss the role of the public health nurse in relation to this disease. How is the public health nurse involved in finding, reporting, collection and analysis of data and follow up? A minimum of three references is required. The written essay should be at least 1250 words in length Hepatitis B Assignment Discussion Paper.

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In recent years, it has been shown that communicable diseases are among the major causes of mortality across the globe. Diseases like these are commonly transmitted from one individual to another. The illness known as hepatitis B is among the most common infectious infections worldwide, despite the fact that there are many multiple kinds. It is possible to die from the Hepatitis B virus, regardless of the fact that it can be prevented.

Hepatitis infection is caused by the Hepatitis B virus. Exposure to contaminated bodily fluids or open wounds on the skin is the most common way for the disease to spread. The majority of the time, it is passed on from mother to child, which accounts for the greatest proportion of infections. As a result, children seem like one of the most often infected members of the general public. Additional problems, like liver cancer, are often associated with a greater proportion of infants infected with Hepatitis at birth. Terrault et al. (2018) have highlighted that individuals aged 20 to 50 are among the most notable ones with the disease. Because of the many difficulties connected with the disease, one percent of these individuals frequently succumb to it Hepatitis B Assignment Discussion Paper.

This disease was common in the United States throughout the 1980s. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over two hundred thousand cases of infection are reported each year. Over the last five years, the number of infections has decreased dramatically, now totaling fewer than 20,000 each year. However, it is largely recorded in many regions of the globe, notably Asia, Africa, and other sections of Europe. The illness presents itself in a number of different ways.

Symptoms

Jaundice is one of the most common signs of Hepatitis B. It is estimated that up to 40% of those suffering from Hepatitis B may have skin discoloration. The yellowing of the skin, eyes, and fingernails and may occur. Among the other indications are abdominal discomfort, tiredness, nausea, decreased appetite, and darkish urine. If caught in the acute stage, the disease can usually be treated; but, if the problem progresses to the advanced stages, it may lead to additional problems and, in severe instances, mortality. Symptoms like bloody vomiting, liver dysfunction, extreme tiredness and may occur during the chronic stage of the illness Hepatitis B Assignment Discussion Paper.

Treatment

Hepatitis B is one of the viral diseases for which there is currently no recognized therapy or cure. Numerous experiments have been conducted over the last few years, with the majority of them coming up empty-handed. Notwithstanding, a vaccination has been created, making it one of the most effective preventative treatments available. According to Duffell et al. (2017), babies and children under the age of eighteen are frequently given vaccination. Adults, particularly those who are in danger of acquiring the disease, may also benefit from the vaccination, according to the CDC. In light of the fact that they are subjected to infectious bodily fluids like blood, it is advised that all medical practitioners get another vaccination against the disease.

Complications

Chronic hepatitis B patients frequently experience a variety of problems. Cirrhosis of the liver is among the most serious of complications. In the majority of instances, the disease induces irritation of the liver, resulting in the damaging of the organ. The complexity of the illness may sometimes progress to the point of causing cancer of the liver. When people have been suffering from hepatitis B for over six months, the risk of getting liver cancer is raised (Tang et al., 2018). Other problems linked to hepatitis B include inflammation of blood vessels and renal disease Hepatitis B Assignment Discussion Paper.

Epidemiology Triangle

The three main components that contribute to the transmission of illness are the host, the agent, and the surrounding atmosphere. The host is defined as the entity that is infected with the virus and therefore carries it. It is humans that are the main hosts of the disease, and they may or may not be experiencing symptoms. Hepatitis virus is nonetheless capable of spreading to other people. The agent is responsible for the transmission. The hepatitis B virus is the causative agent of the disease. Because of the environmental conditions that promote viral transmission, it may be transmitted quickly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the hepatitis B virus may live for up to a week in the body, during which time it can transmit to other people. Viral survival in bodily fluids like blood is a common occurrence. The illness may be acquired as a result of a person coming into touch with contaminated bodily fluids.

Reporting

Given the rapidity with which Hepatitis B may transmit, it has been designated as a notifiable illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention categorized the illness as reportable in 2003. The department of health was obliged to notify the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System of any incidences (NNDSS). Once the disease is discovered, lab workers must notify the CDC. Following notification of their problems, patients will be followed up with in order to set preventative strategies (Razavi-Shearer et al., 2018) Hepatitis B Assignment Discussion Paper.

Determinants of Health

When it comes to Hepatitis B, there are many factors that influence one’s health. They include government policy, lifestyle, socioeconomic variables, and access to care. The lack of public knowledge of the illness is the most significant obstacle to its management (Tang et al., 2018). The vast majority of those suffering from the disease are completely unaware that they are infected with the virus. Because of this, they have had minimal access to care. Another important health determinant is a person’s ability to get healthcare services. Because most individuals in areas with inadequate access to healthcare are not tested, attempts to halt the spread of the disease will be hampered.

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Role of Public Health Nurse

Public health nurses are among the community’s essential health professionals, providing a wide range of services. In addition to operating in the care setting, public health nurses are responsible for making sure that the population remains healthy by preventing Hepatitis B and promoting better health. Educating the public about the disease is one of the most important tasks for a nurse to do. It is the responsibility of the nurses to inform the public about the infection’s presence and transmission. The majority of individuals, according to Duffell et al. (2017), are affected by the disease but are unaware of their symptoms. In order to promote appropriate health practices, the public ought to be aware of how the disease is being spread. Making sure that individuals are tested is among the approaches that public health nurses may contribute to the implementation of prevention strategies.

Public health nurses additionally urge all members of the public to obtain hepatitis B vaccinations. Although there is now no proven therapy for the disease, a vaccination has been produced. Some individuals, on the other hand, have opposing views on vaccinations. Hence, nurses must educate them on the significance of having them and their children immunized against the illness.

Furthermore, the public health nurse must conduct an investigation into the population to identify which members of the community are at risk of acquiring the disease. Following that, the general public should be informed on different preventative measures. It is necessary to perform periodic testing in order to determine the number of individuals who are infected with hepatitis B. Patients should be followed up on by the nurse once they have been identified to verify that they are following their treatment regimen Hepatitis B Assignment Discussion Paper.

Conclusion

Throughout the world, hepatitis B is one of the most infectious diseases. Infection with the hepatitis B virus, which is transmitted via contact with contaminated bodily fluids, causes the illness. The majority of individuals who are affected by the disease experience tiredness, jaundice, joint aches, and abdominal issues. Among the associated consequences are liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, to name a few. Despite the fact that there is no cure for the illness, a vaccination has been developed. A significant role is played by public health nurses because of the high death rate of the disease and its fast transmission. In addition to providing vaccinations and other therapies, the nurses must enlighten members of the public about this disease Hepatitis B Assignment Discussion Paper