Hepatitis B Treatment

Specific treatment usually isn't necessary for short-term cases of hepatitis B. But for those who develop chronic hepatitis B, treatment may include special medications such as alpha interferon and lamivudine. Drug therapy is not for everyone -- the medications used for hepatitis B treatment work best in people with high liver enzymes and low levels of the hepatitis B virus in their blood. Staying healthy during treatment for hepatitis B involves getting enough calories and exercise.

 

An Overview of Hepatitis B Treatment

There are two types of
 hepatitis B -- acute (recently acquired) hepatitis B and chronic (life-long) hepatitis B. Treatment differs for each type.
 
For acute hepatitis B, there are no specific medicines that can cure the disease (see Cure for Hepatitis B). Therefore, treatment for acute hepatitis B is focused on dealing with any symptoms or complications that may occur. This is known as supportive care. Even without specialized treatment for acute hepatitis B, most people recover completely within a few months.
 
Although many people who are exposed to hepatitis B will be able to get rid of the virus, some people can develop chronic hepatitis B. This may lead to liver damage, liver cancer, and death. In cases of chronic hepatitis B, specific medicines are available to help slow down liver damage and possibly prevent complications of hepatitis B.
 
Even if a person develops a chronic hepatitis B infection, hepatitis B treatment with medicine is not right for everyone. Treating chronic hepatitis B with medicines often works best for people with:
 
  • Low levels of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the blood
  • High liver enzymes
  • A liver biopsy that shows moderate disease activity and fibrosis.
     
(Hepatitis B Treatment Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
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