Is Hepatitis B Curable or Not?
Hepatitis B is termed as the most common serious liver infection in the world. This is an infection of liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. This virus is usually passed from one person to another through bodily fluids such as semen, open sores, blood etc. It gets spread when individuals come in contact with the bodily fluids of another individual with hepatitis B virus.
The most common way this gets transmitted is through an infected pregnant woman to their baby during childbirth. This is due to the exchange of blood that occurs between mother and baby. Some of the other common ways it gets transmitted include:
Hepatitis B is also referred to as “silent epidemic”. This is because it does not show any symptoms among individuals newly or chronically infected. They can unintentionally spread the virus to others. These individuals can continue to spread hepatitis B silently.
Symptoms or no symptoms, people with hepatitis B (chronically infected) can transfer the illness to other individuals and their liver is still being silently damaged. The stage can turn into serious liver ailment such as liver cancer or cirrhosis.
Hepatitis B Symptoms
As already discussed, short-term (acute) hepatitis B infection does not show any symptoms.Children younger than 5 years of age will not show any symptoms when infected. Adults also not show symptoms initially. However, if one has symptoms, they may include:
Jaundice (a condition where skin and/or the whites of the eyes turn yellow, and pee turns brownor orange.)
It is important to remember that symptoms of Hepatitis B may not show up until 1-6 months of catching the virus. This means you may not feel or observe anything. Most patients get to know only after getting a blood test.
When to see a doctor?
As soon as you know you've been exposed to hepatitis B, get in touch with your doctor without delay.
The doctor may recommend you a preventive treatment. It is aimed at minimizing patient’s risk of infection. The patient should receive the treatment within 24 hours of exposure to the virus.Speak to your doctor if you notice signs or symptoms of hepatitis B.
Treatment for Prevention of Hepatitis B Infection after Exposure
Speak to your doctor as soon as you are exposed to the hepatitis B virus. You will be given an injection of immunoglobulin (an antibody) within 12 hours of exposure to the virus. This will help protect you from getting sick with hepatitis B.
This treatment provides you with short-term protection. The doctor will also give you the hepatitis B vaccine (in case, you never received it).
Acute Hepatitis B Infection Treatment
Once the hepatitis B infection is diagnosed as acute (short-lived), it will go away on its own. The illness does not require any treatment. The doctor will recommend rest, proper nutrition and plenty of fluids to help body fights the infection. Under severe cases, the doctor will administer antiviral drugs or recommend a hospital stay to prevent complications with the illness.
Chronic Hepatitis B Infection Treatment
Chronic hepatitis B infection demands lifelong treatment. Treatment minimizes the risk of liver disease and prevents passing of infection to others.
The most common treatment for chronic hepatitis B may include the following listed below:
Antiviral Medications
Antiviral medications including the following listed below will help body fight the virus and retard its ability to damage your liver:
All of the above listed medications can help control chronic hepatitis B infection. These drugs are recommended to be taken by mouth. Speak to your doctor about the medication which might be right for your condition.
Interferon Injections
Doctors will give Interferon alfa-2b (Intron A) to patient. It is a man-made version of a substance produced by the body to fight infection. The treatment is used mainly for younger patients with hepatitis B who do not want to pursue long-term treatment. Women who wish to get pregnant in the coming years can also get interferon injections after a fixed course of therapy.
Liver Transplant
In case, the illness damages liver severely, doctor may recommend a liver transplant. The process involves removal of damaged liver and replacing it with a healthy liver. Transplanted livers are obtained from deceased donors and living donors who donate a portion of their livers.
Other Treatment Options
Presently, more drugs for the treatment of hepatitis B are being developed.
You can take following medicines to get relief from Hepatitis B: Hepbest, Tafsure, Tenvir, Tudofovir, X-VIR