Hepatitis B (cont.)
Surgery
There is no surgical treatment for hepatitis B.
If you have advanced liver damage because of hepatitis and your condition becomes life-threatening, you may need a liver transplant.
In rare cases, acute hepatitis B progresses rapidly to liver failure, a deadly condition called fulminant hepatitis. For some people, a liver transplant offers the only hope for survival.
Other Treatment
Some people with acute hepatitis B have severe nausea and dehydration. If this happens, you might need to stay in the hospital so you can receive fluids intravenously.
Other Places To Get Help
Organizations
| American Liver Foundation (ALF) |
| 39 Broadway, Suite 2700 |
| New York, NY 10006 |
| Phone: | 1-800-GO-LIVER (1-800-465-4837) |
| Fax: | (212) 483-8179 |
| Web Address: | www.liverfoundation.org |
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The American Liver Foundation (ALF) funds research and informs the public about liver disease. A nationwide network of chapters and support groups exists to help people with liver disease and their families. ALF also sponsors a national organ donor program to increase public awareness of the continuing need for organs. |
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| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Division of Viral Hepatitis |
| Phone: | 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) |
| Web Address: | www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/index.htm |
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The Division of Viral Hepatitis provides information about viral hepatitis online and by telephone 24 hours a day. Pamphlets also are available. Information is available in English and in Spanish. |
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| Hepatitis B Foundation |
| 700 East Butler Avenue |
| Doylestown, PA 18901-2697 |
| Phone: | (215) 489-4900 |
| Fax: | (215) 489-4920 |
| Email: | info@hepb.org |
| Web Address: | www.hepb.org |
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The Hepatitis B Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides information and patient support programs to the public. It also does research to find a cure for hepatitis B. |
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| Hepatitis Foundation International |
| 504 Blick Drive |
| Silver Spring, MD 20904-2901 |
| Phone: | 1-800-891-0707
(301) 622-4200 |
| Fax: | (301) 622-4702 |
| Email: | hfi@comcast.net |
| Web Address: | www.hepfi.org |
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This organization is a grassroots communication and support network for people with viral hepatitis. It provides education to patients, professionals, and the public about the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of viral hepatitis. The organization will make referrals to local doctors and support groups. |
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| National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse |
| 2 Information Way |
| Bethesda, MD 20892-3570 |
| Phone: | 1-800-891-5389 |
| Fax: | (703) 738-4929 |
| TDD: | 1-866-569-1162 toll-free |
| Email: | nddic@info.niddk.nih.gov |
| Web Address: | www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov |
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This clearinghouse is a service of the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. The clearinghouse answers questions; develops, reviews, and sends out publications; and coordinates information resources about digestive diseases. Publications produced by the clearinghouse are reviewed carefully for scientific accuracy, content, and readability. |
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