Treatment For Hepatitis B

What Are My Options To Get Treated For Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B can be treated in multiple ways depending on the activity of the virus and your risk level for liver damage (cirrhosis). Treatment can come in the form of an injection aimed at helping the immune system fight the infection and antiviral drugs aimed at stopping the virus from replicating.

Acute Hepatitis B treatment depends on whether your infection is causing acute symptom, is relatively new, and whether or not it is a chronic infection. For individuals who have not received a hepatitis B vaccination but think they may have come in contact with the virus, they should have a shot of HBIG (hepatitis B immunoglubin) as well as three of the first Hep B vaccine shots.

This treatment should be within a week of infected needle injections and two weeks if the exposure was through sexual contact.

Treatment for Hepatitis B often hinges on the speed at which it is sought after exposure. Acute hepatitis symptoms can be dealt with at home through drinking enough fluids and eating healthy foods.

Chronic hepatitis b treatment aims to prevent amage of the liver (cirrhosis) as this is a deadly result of untreated hepatitis B. The hepatitis B virus multiplies like any other virus so a strong antiviral medication will be prescribed to stop its growth.

Following Up With The Doctor

Hepatitis B requires a blood test and your doctor should regularly check your blood levels for liver toxicity.