1. Hepatitis Slideshow Pictures
2. Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures
3. Infectious Mononucleosis Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Mary D. Nettleman, MD, MS, MCAP

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

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Prevention is vital to avoid hepatitis B virus infection. The current recommendation is that all children be vaccinated. Additionally, the following individuals should receive the hepatitis B vaccine:

• adults at high risk (health care workers,
• household contacts of infected persons,
• individuals on hemodialysis,
• intravenous drug users, and
• persons with multiple sexual partners.

If a person is exposed to hepatitis B, then hepatitis B immune globulin (BayHep, H-BIG, Hep-B-Gammagee, Hyper Hep, Nabi-HB) is sometimes recommended. Hepatitis B immune globulin contains antibodies to the virus which can help reduce the risk of disease.

If a person is chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus and has no signs of complications, medications are usually not used. These patients are watched carefully and given periodic blood tests. One test, called the 'viral load' measures the amount of viral DNA in the blood. Doctors may recommend treatment if there are signs the virus is beginning to cause damage or if the viral load is elevated. Another reason to prescribe medication is if the patient has a positive test for the hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) in the blood. HBeAg is associated with an increased risk of complications.

The goal of treatment is to reduce the number of viruses in the body and reduce the risk of complications. Unfortunately, medications do not cure the disease. Doctors track blood tests and may perform liver biopsies to determine if the medications are working.

The medications in current use for chronic Hepatitis B include the nucleoside/nucleotide analogues and interferons. New agents are being developed.

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Hepatitis B Hepatitis is a general term that means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis B is caused by infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV, Hep B). Hepatitis B is tra...learn more >>

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