Cure for Hepatitis B

The best cure for hepatitis B is preventing it from developing in the first place. Among the ways you can prevent hepatitis b are getting vaccinated and avoiding high-risk situations (such as unprotected sex and coming into contact with things that may have someone else's blood on them). However, if infection with the hepatitis B virus has already occurred, the only cure for the condition is time -- eventually, the body is usually able to effectively kill the hepatitis B virus.

 

Is There a Cure for Hepatitis B?

When a person is infected with the hepatitis B virus, there is only one cure -- time. If signs and symptoms of hepatitis B (hep B) do occur, hepatitis B treatment is supportive, which means treating the symptoms and possible complications.
 
Fortunately, in most cases, the body is able to effectively kill the hepatitis B virus. In fact, most people who are infected with hepatitis B virus never develop hepatitis B symptoms, or they develop minor symptoms. In most cases, there are no long-term effects from hepatitis B.
 
For those who do develop long-term hepatitis B (known as chronic hepatitis B), medicines are available. While these medicines will not cure hepatitis B, they may lower hepatitis B virus levels in the body to an undetectable level. Medicine is not recommended for everyone who has chronic hepatitis B.
 

Prevention Is the Best Cure for Hepatitis B

The best cure for hepatitis B is preventing it from happening in the first place.
 Methods to help prevent hepatitis B can include:
 
  • Getting vaccinated. The best way to prevent hepatitis B is to get vaccinated. The hepatitis B vaccine is very effective and can keep you from ever getting hepatitis B. It is given as a three shot series. For infants, the first dose can be given shortly after birth.
     
  • Avoid high-risk situations. This includes such things avoiding unprotected sex, as well as things that might have someone else's blood on them, such as a razor or toothbrush.
     
(Click Hepatitis B Prevention for more information about preventing hepatitis B. Click Hepatitis B Vaccine for more information on the hepatitis B vaccine.)
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD