Solve: HBV

Can hepatitis B be cured?

No, chronic hepatitis B cannot be cured, but treatments exist to help manage the disease. As such, people living with chronic hepatitis B infection can expect to live a long and healthy life.

Acute hepatitis B often goes away on its own, but can progress to chronic hepatitis B.

What does the treatment for hepatitis B involve?

Acute hepatitis B

Many people do not have any troublesome symptoms, but if you do feel unwell, it can help to:

• get plenty of rest
• drink plenty of fluids
• eat a balanced diet
• maintain a cool, well-ventilated environment, wear loose clothing, and avoid hot baths or showers if itching is a problem

Most people recover completely in a couple of months, but you’ll be advised to have regular blood tests to check that you’re free of the virus and have not developed chronic hepatitis B.

Chronic hepatitis B

If blood tests show that you still have hepatitis B after 6 months, your doctor may recommend medication to reduce the risk of complications of hepatitis B and regular tests to assess the health of your liver.

Treatment is usually offered if:

• your immune system is unable to control the hepatitis B by itself
• there’s evidence of ongoing liver damage

Hepatitis B medications can help keep the virus under control and stop it damaging your liver, although they will not necessarily cure the infection and some people need lifelong treatment. The medications for chronic hepatitis B include oral antiviral agents, which are easy to take and have few side-effects. Pregnant women with high HBV DNA levels may be eligible for antiviral prophylaxis during pregnancy to prevent perinatal HBV infection and protect their infants from contracting the disease.

Follow-up with doctors will be required about every six months to monitor the disease.

How long does the treatment for hepatitis B last?

In most people the treatment does not cure hepatitis B infection, but only suppresses the replication of the virus. Therefore, most people who start hepatitis B treatment must continue it for life.

Are there any side-effects of treatment?

The side-effects depend on the medication taken, but include things such as:

• fever
• muscle and joint pain
• feeling sick
• vomiting
• dizziness

Are there any lifestyle changes that should be made?

If you have hepatitis B, you should:

• avoid having unprotected sex, including anal and oral sex, unless you’re sure your partner has been vaccinated against hepatitis B
• avoid sharing needles used to inject drugs with other people
• take precautions to avoid the spread of infection, such as not sharing toothbrushes or razors with other people (close contacts, such as family members, may need to be vaccinated)
• eat a generally healthy, balanced diet – there’s no special diet for people with hepatitis B
• avoid drinking alcohol – this can increase your risk of developing serious liver problems
• speak to your doctor if you’re thinking of having a baby

People with hepatitis B can usually have a healthy pregnancy, but it’s a good idea to discuss your plans with a doctor first as you may need extra care and your medications may need to be changed.

There’s a risk of pregnant women with hepatitis B passing the infection on to their child around the time of the birth, but this risk can be reduced by ensuring the baby is vaccinated shortly after they’re born.