Hepatitis B
Alternate Names : Serum Hepatitis
What are the treatments for the infection?
Treatment of hepatitis B includes:
bed rest
drinking extra fluids to prevent
dehydration
avoiding unnecessary medications
avoiding
alcohol
eating a well balanced diet for liver
disease
taking antinausea medications as needed
Treatment of chronic hepatitis B may involve the use of medications
such as the antiviral medication alpha interferon. Other medications may
include ribavirin, lamivudine, steroids, and antibiotics.
Treating people with complications in other parts of the
body as a result of chronic hepatitis B can be complex. It can include corticosteroids,
such as prednisone,
chemotherapy-type
medications, or plasmapheresis, which involves removing a component called
plasma from the blood.
Acute fulminant hepatitis can cause life-threatening
liver failure. This requires a hospital stay and treatment for the bleeding
disorder, as well as for encephalopathy and nutritional problems. Sometimes the only
effective treatment is a
liver
transplant.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Side effects will depend on the treatments used. Side effects of
interferon include a flu-like illness, with
fever and body aches.
Liver transplant
can cause many
problems, including failure or rejection of the new liver. After a liver
transplant, a person will need to take powerful antirejection medications for
the rest of his or her life. Side effects of these medications increase the
risk for infections, certain
cancers, and other problems.
What happens after treatment for the infection?
The goal of treatment for chronic hepatitis B is to suppress or eliminate the
virus. This does occur in some people, although relapses, or a return of
symptoms, can occur. Some people can be started
on the same treatment again if a
relapse occurs.
After a liver
transplant, people are
kept on strong medications to prevent rejection of the liver.
How is the infection monitored?
Periodic visits to the healthcare provider and liver function tests will be used to monitor the
hepatitis and to
see how the liver is working. The status of the liver may require repeated
liver
biopsies. Decisions for further
treatment or liver
transplantation are
frequently made based on these tests. Any new or worsening symptoms should be
reported to the healthcare provider.
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