Living
with Hepatitis B > FAQ
Living with Hepatitis B: FAQ
Will I recover from a hepatitis
B infection?
What is the difference between
acute and chronic hepatitis B?
How can I prevent spreading hepatitis B to others?
Will I become sick if I have
acute hepatitis B?
How will I know when I have
recovered from an acute hepatitis B infection?
What should I do if I have been
diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B?
What tests will be used to monitor
my chronic hepatitis B?
Is there a cure for chronic
hepatitis B?
Are there any approved drugs
to treat chronic hepatitis B?
If I have a chronic hepatitis
B infection, should I be on medication?
What
advice do you have for those living with chronic hepatitis
B?
Can I
donate blood if I have hepatitis B?
Will I recover from
a hepatitis B infection?
The answer depends on whether you are infected as an adult,
a child, or a baby. Most infected adults will recover without
any problems, but unfortunately, most infected babies and children
will develop chronic hepatitis B infections.
- Adults – 90% will get rid of the
virus and recover without any problems; 10% will develop
chronic hepatitis B.
- Young Children – 40% will get rid
of the virus and recover without problems; 60% will develop
a chronic hepatitis B infection.
- Infants – 90% will become chronically
infected; only 10% will be able to get rid of the virus.
What is the difference
between an "acute" and a "chronic" hepatitis
B infection?
A hepatitis B infection is considered to be “acute” during the
first 6 months after being exposed. This is the average period
of time it takes to recover from a hepatitis B infection. If
you still test positive for the hepatitis B virus (HBsAg+)
after 6 months, you are considered to have a "chronic" hepatitis
B infection, which can last a lifetime.
How can I prevent spreading hepatitis B to others?
If you are infected, you can pass the virus on to others and it is important to take certain precautions to prevent this from happening. Sexual partners and those living in close household contact should be tested for hepatitis B and receive the hepatitis B vaccine, which can protect them for a lifetime! Babies born to women who are infected with hepatitis B must be vaccinated in the delivery room or within the first 12 hours of life.
In addition, it is important to keep all cuts covered and avoid sharing any sharp instruments such as razors, toothbrushes, or earrings, etc., since small amounts of blood can be exchanged through these items. Hepatitis B is not transmitted casually and it cannot be spread through sneezing, coughing, hugging or eating food prepared by someone who is infected with HBV.
Will I become sick
if I have acute hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is considered a "silent infection” because
it often does not cause any symptoms. Most people feel healthy
and do not know they have been infected, which means they can unknowingly
pass the virus on to others. Other people may have mild symptoms
such as fever, fatigue, joint or muscle pain, or loss of appetite
that are mistaken for the flu. Less common but more serious
symptoms include severe nausea and vomiting, yellow eyes and
skin (called
“jaundice”), and a swollen stomach - these symptoms
require immediate medical attention and a person may need to
be hospitalized.
How will I know when
I have recovered from an "acute" hepatitis B infection?
Once your doctor has confirmed through a blood test that you
have successfully cleared the virus from your system and developed
the protective antibodies (HBsAb+), you will be protected
from any future hepatitis B infection and are no longer
contagious to others.
What should
I do if I am diagnosed with chronic
hepatitis B?
If you test positive for the hepatitis B virus for longer
than 6 months, this indicates that you have a chronic hepatitis
B infection. You should make an appointment with a hepatologist
(liver specialist) or gastroenterologist familiar with hepatitis
B. This specialist will order blood tests and
possibly a liver ultrasound to evaluate your hepatitis
B status and the health of your liver. Your doctor
will probably want to see you at least once or twice a year
to monitor your hepatitis B and determine if you would
benefit from treatment.
Most people chronically infected with hepatitis B can expect
to live long, healthy lives. Once you are diagnosed with chronic
hepatitis B, the virus may stay in your blood and liver
for a lifetime. It is important to know that you can pass the
virus along to others, even if you don’t feel sick. This
is why it’s so important that you make sure that all
close household contacts and sex partners are tested and vaccinated against
hepatitis B.
What tests will be
used to monitor my hepatitis B?
Common tests used by doctors to monitor your hepatitis
B include the hepatitis B blood panel, liver function
tests (ALT), hepatitis B e-Antigen (HBeAg), hepatitis
B e-Antibody (HBeAb), ultrasound and imaging, and possibly
liver biopsy before starting treatment.
Is there a cure for
chronic hepatitis B?
Right now, there is no cure for chronic hepatitis B, but the
good news is there are new treatments that can help
slow the progression of liver disease in chronically infected
persons by slowing down the virus. If there is less hepatitis
B virus being produced, then there is less damage being done
to the liver. Sometimes these drugs can even get rid of the
virus, although this is not common.
With all of the new exciting research, there is great hope
that a complete cure will be found for chronic hepatitis B
in the near future. Visit our Drug
Watch for a list of other promising drugs in development.
Are there any approved
drugs to treat chronic hepatitis B?
Yes, there are currently five approved treatments for
hepatitis B in the United States. They are:
- Intron A (interferon alpha) is given
by injection several times a week for six months to a year,
or sometimes longer. The drug can cause side effects such
as flu-like symptoms, depression, and headaches.
- Pegasys (pegylated interferon) is given
by injection once a week usually for six months to a year.
The drug can cause side effects such as flu-like symptoms,
depression and other mental health problems. Approved May
2005 and available only for adults.
- Epivir-HBV (lamivudine) is a pill that
is taken once a day, with almost no side effects, for at
least one year or longer. A primary concern is the possible
development of hepatitis B virus mutants during and after
treatment.
- Hepsera (adefovir-dipivoxil) is a pill
taken once a day, with few side effects, for at least one
year or longer. The primary concern is that kidney problems
can occur while taking the drug.
- Baraclude (entecavir) is a pill taken
once a day, with almost no side effects for up to one year.
It is considered to be the most potent oral antiviral drug
for chronic hepatitis B to date. Approved April 2005 and
available only for adults. Pediatric clinical trials may
be planned for the future.
Although they do not provide a complete cure, except
in rare cases (a "cure" means that a person
loses the hepatitis B virus and develops protective surface
antibodies), they do slow down the virus and decrease the risk
of more serious liver disease later in life.
If I have a chronic
hepatitis B infection, should I be on medication?
It is important to understand that not every person with chronic
hepatitis B needs to be on medication. You should talk to your
doctor about whether you are a good candidate for drug therapy
or a clinical trial. Be sure that you understand the pros and
cons of each treatment option. Whether you decide to start
treatment or not, you should be seen regularly by a liver specialist
or a doctor knowledgeable about hepatitis B.
What
advice do you have for those living with chronic hepatitis
B?
We strongly recommend avoiding alcohol, as it
can be extremely harmful to a liver already infected with the
hepatitis B virus. Additionally, you should avoid smoking for
the same reason. You should be sure to talk to your doctor
before taking any prescription, over the counter medication,
or herbal remedies.
Although there is no special diet for people
who have chronic hepatitis B, a healthy, well-balanced diet
that is low-fat and includes plenty of vegetables is recommended. You
may want to avoid eating raw shellfish, since they can contain
bacteria that are harmful to your liver.
Can
I donate blood if I have hepatitis B?
No. The blood bank will not accept any blood that has
been exposed to hepatitis B, even if you have recovered from
an acute infection.
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