UPSC Prelims 2019 question on Hepatitis B Virus

Statement by statement

Option (a) – CORRECT: Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver. The virus is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person. HIV also gets transmitted via the exchange of a variety of body fluids from infected individuals, such as blood, breast milk, semen and vaginal secretions. Hence Hepatitis B virus is transmitted much like HIV.

Option (b) – NOT CORRECT: This statement is incorrect because the hepatitis B vaccine is the mainstay of hepatitis B prevention. WHO recommends that all infants receive the hepatitis B vaccine as soon as possible after birth, preferably within 24 hours. Hence option (b) is the not-correct answer — Hepatitis B does have a vaccine.

Option (c) – CORRECT: Hepatitis B is a global public health threat and the world's most common serious liver infection. It is up to 100 times more infectious than the HIV/AIDS virus, so globally more people are infected with Hepatitis B and C than HIV.

Option (d) – CORRECT: Most people who are infected with the hepatitis C virus do not develop symptoms. Most people with chronic hepatitis C virus infection do not have any symptoms or have general, or common symptoms such as chronic fatigue and depression, for many years.