Hepatitis B (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Hepatitis B Overview
- Hepatitis B Causes
- Hepatitis B Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Hepatitis B Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Medications
- Surgery
- Other Therapy
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- Support Groups and Counseling
- For More Information
- Web Links
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Viewer Comments: Hepatitis B - Describe Your Experience
Medical Treatment
Acute hepatitis B infection
The most severe effect of acute hepatitis B is dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea.
- If you are dehydrated, your doctor may prescribe IV
fluid to help you feel better.
- If you are experiencing significant nausea and
vomiting, you will receive medicines to control these symptoms.
- People whose symptoms are well controlled can be
cared for at home.
- If dehydration or other symptoms are severe or if you
are extremely confused or difficult to arouse, you may need to stay in the
hospital.
- There is no treatment that can prevent acute HBV infection from becoming chronic.
The degree of liver damage is related to the amount of active, replicating (multiplying) virus in the blood and liver. Regularly measuring the amount of HBV DNA in the blood gives a good idea of how fast the virus is multiplying. The treatments now in use are antiviral drugs, which stop the virus from multiplying.
- Antiviral agents, while the best therapy known for
chronic hepatitis B, do not work in all individuals with the disease.
- Although there are several antiviral agents for
chronic hepatitis B approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA),
research is ongoing. This means that dosages and treatment recommendations are
subject to change.
- Research is ongoing to find medications that work
better with fewer side effects.
- Decisions to start medications for treatment of hepatitis B are made by you and your health care provider, often in consultation with a specialist in diseases of the digestive system (gastroenterologist)
or liver (hepatologist).
- The decision is based on results of liver function
tests, HBV DNA tests, and, frequently, liver biopsies after a
complete history and physical examination.
- Depending on the results of these tests, you may
decide to start therapy or to delay it until later.
If you have chronic hepatitis B infection and think you might be pregnant, let your health care provider know right away. If you are pregnant and think you have been exposed to hepatitis B, let your health care provider know right away.
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Hepatitis B »
In 1965, Blumberg et al reported the discovery of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), also known as Australia antigen, and its antibody, hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb).
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