Hepatitis B
Treatment
Acute hepatitis needs no treatment other than careful monitoring of liver function with tests. You should get plenty of bed rest, drink plenty of fluids, and eat healthy foods. In the rare case that you develop liver failure, you will need a liver transplant. A liver transplant is the only cure in some cases of liver failure.
Some patients with chronic hepatitis may be treated with antiviral medications and a medication called peginterferon. Hepatitis B cannot be cured, but these medications may help lessen the infection. Liver transplantation is used to treat end-stage chronic hepatitis B liver disease. Patients with chronic hepatitis should avoid alcohol and should always check with their doctor or nurse before taking any over-the-counter medications or herbal supplements. This even includes medications such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen. See: Cirrhosis for information about treating more severe liver damage caused by hepatitis B.
Support Groups
See: Liver disease support group
Prognosis (Expectations)
The acute illness usually goes away after 2 - 3 weeks. The liver usually returns to normal within 4 - 6 months in almost all patients who are infected. Some people develop chronic hepatitis. - Most newborns and about 50% of children who become infected with hepatitis B develop chronic hepatitis. Only a few adults who are infected with the hepatitis B virus develop the chronic condition.
- Chronic hepatitis B infection increases the risk for liver damage, including cirrhosis and liver cancer.
- People who have chronic hepatitis B can transmit the infection. They are considered carriers of the disease, even if they do not have any symptoms.
Hepatitis B is fatal in approximately 1% of cases.
Complications
There is a higher rate of hepatocellular carcinoma in people who have chronic hepatitis B than in the general population. Other complications may include: - Fulminant hepatitis, which can lead to liver failure and possibly death
- Chronic persistent hepatitis
- Cirrhosis
Calling Your Health Care Provider
Call your health care provider if: - You develop symptoms of hepatitis B
- Hepatitis B symptoms do not go away in 2 or 3 weeks, or new symptoms develop
- You belong to a high-risk group for hepatitis B and have not yet received the HBV vaccine.
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