I Have Hepatitis B, What Should I Do Next? - Treatment & Care

The types and kinds of treatment for the Hepatitis B infection depends on how active the virus is, and if there is a chance you will get liver damage. 

Recently exposed to HBV?

• Receive an injection of Hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG), antibodies that attach themselves to liver cells to prevent the Hepatitis B virus from spreading; 
• Receive 1 out of the 3 immunization shots of the Hepatitis B vaccine.  
• It is best to receive these treatments no later than 7 days after the exposure with a shared needle, and no later than 14 days after exposure through sexual contact, for an effective treatment. 

Treatment for acute Hepatitis B (Note: As stated in previous posts, if you are diagnosed with acute HBV, the virus usually goes away on its own. But, there are non-medical treatment suggestions that will help alleviate the symptoms of HBV during this process):

• Match your energy level to your activity level - avoid overexercising and overworking yourself.  Slowly switch back to your regular schedule & routines as your energy level starts feeling normal again.
• Eat! - your loss of appetite and nausea may discourage you from eating anything, but it's important to get proper nutrition and get more energy during this recovery process. If you are having difficulty eating, try having a lighter meals later in the day.  
• Hydrate yourself - drink plenty of fluids to replenish electrolytes, minerals that maintain the balance of liquid in the body to ensure bodily functions and the spread of the virus.
• Avoid alcohol and drugs (prescription/over the counter AND illegal) - drugs and alcohol take for a long time for the liver to process because of the Hepatitis B virus, and their effects last longer and are more powerful.   
• Inform your partners and family members - let the people around you know that you have Hepatitis B to prevent the virus from spreading.  Avoid sharing toiletries and use a condom when participating in sexual activities. 

Individuals suffering from acute Hepatitis B usually will not be given medicine for treatment unless their doctors find out that enzyme levels are higher than normal (which can mean small amounts of liver damage), or when there is a lot of the HBV present in the body.   

Treatment for chronic Hepatitis B (Note: The goal is to prevent the Hepatitis B virus from multiplying and spreading to stop further liver damage, so treatment will mainly depend on how much the virus has spread, and the risk of liver damage):

• Antiviral medication - if the HBV is active and you're at risk for liver damage, the medication slows down the virus to prevent it from multiplying. These medicines include interferons, which is an artificial replication of a protein in your body that helps fight disease and slow/stop HBV in your body; and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, medication that delay HBV from multiplying in the body.  

Regardless of whether you are taking medication or not, chronic Hepatitis B patients must regularly visit their doctors so that they can monitor your liver functions and the movement of the virus in the body.  Periodic blood tests will ensure that if there signs arise indicating that there is a risk of liver damage, proper steps will be made accordingly in a timely matter.  

How Will I Know if it's Hepatitis B - Diagnosis & Testing

If you attended public school in the United States, chances are that you've already been vaccinated against the Hepatitis B virus - most school districts will require a child to complete a list of vaccinations at their primary doctor's office prior to enrolling in school, and the Hepatitis B vaccination is on that list.  For everyone else, your primary care doctor will diagnose HBV based on a physical exam, your medical history, and various blood tests.  Your doctor may also ask a wide range of questions, including about your job environment and sexual behaviors, and your alcohol use.  If the doctor thinks you might be infected with the virus, you will need to do blood tests to find out more about your body.  There are a couple of blood tests that will help the doctor diagnose Hepatitis B, and tests that will determine if you have liver damage.


Blood tests used to help diagnose Hepatitis B:

1. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test - A positive test for the HBsAg test means that there is a Hepatitis B infection in your body, and it can easily be susceptible in passing the virus to other people around you.   
2. Hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) test - A positive anti-HBs test means that you are immune to the Hepatitis B virus (through antibodies from a previous, recovered HBV infection or have already been vaccinated).
3. Hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) test - A positive test for the HBc test means that you may have transmittable chronic Hepatitis B and/or currently recovering from a current acute infection.  What the outcome is for the HBc test depends on the results of the two previous tests.

Blood tests used to determine the health of your liver:

1. Bilirubin, albumin, and prothrombin time tests - These three tests determine how well your liver is (or is not) functioning.
2. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase, and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) - These four tests will measure the amount of enzymes produced by your liver, and with these results will determine if your liver is inflamed or damaged.

These tests alone do not accurately provide whether or not you are diagnosed with Hepatitis B. Additional tests and check-ups with your primary care doctor will be needed. Ultimately, if you are not sure whether or not you need any of these tests, the best thing to do is simply make an appointment with your doctor and ask. For a list of primary care doctors who have pledged and committed to spreading the word about ending the Hepatitis B virus, please visit this link. Alternatively, if you do not have a doctor, visit this link for a list of community clinics and resource centers that provide vaccinations and tests for those in need. Most of these services are free and/or low-cost!

Differences Between Hepatitis A, B, & C

You may have heard of different types of the Hepatitis infections.  There are actually two types of Hepatitis other than Hepatitis B: Hepatitis A and Hepatitis C.


Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV can be found in the feces of those who are infected, and the virus can be transmitted through the ingestion of these feces, even in small microscopic amounts.  Eating food and drinking liquids that are infected with the virus is also a means of transmission.  Individuals at risk for Hepatitis A include those who travel to places with high rates of Hepatitis A, sexual contact with infected individuals, men who have sexual intercourse with men, users of drugs through injection into the skin, and individuals with blood clotting disorders. HAV infections almost always go away on its own. Hepatitis A shares the same symptoms as Hepatitis B (including loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting).  There is no treatment for Hepatitis A, other than a vaccination for prevention or supportive treatment for those who are infected already.  Vaccinations are recommended for all children who turn 1 years old, adolescents who live in environments where Hepatitis vaccination programs are already implemented, individuals who are at higher risk,  and possibly those who are traveling to Hepatitis-prone countries.  The Hepatitis A vaccinations are the best prevention!


Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV is found in blood and some specific bodily fluids, and is transmitted when these fluids from an infected person enters the body of an individual who is not immune to the virus.  It is possible to contract the Hepatitis C virus from sexual intercourse but it is uncommon.  Individuals at risk for Hepatitis C include those who inject drugs, are hemodialysis patients, and were born to HCV-infected mothers.  Hepatitis C shares the same symptoms as Hepatitis A & Hepatitis B, which includes diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fatigue.  There is currently no treatment for those who recently contracted the HCV, but there are drugs for those who have chronic HCV infection.  Additionally, there is no vaccine to prevent Hepatitis C, but by getting both the Hepatitis A and Hepatitis C vaccinations, your chances of acquiring Hepatitis C might be lower.


What are the some differences between all of these Hepatitis's ?


Hepatitis A - acute infection found in food and water; spread from an infected person to another person, and usually gets better on its own; preventable with vaccination. 


Hepatitis B - acute or chronic infection; spread through bodily fluids like blood, preventable with vaccination.


Hepatitis C - chronic; spread through blood only, no preventable ways/no vaccination. 

Causes and Symptoms

When an individual initially contracts Hepatitis B, their infection is labeled as "acute"; most people that are infected usually get rid of the virus and are cured of the infection.  But, some people aren't able to do that and as a result, their infection is labeled "chronic", and life-long.  In the United States an estimated 800,000 to 1.4 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B. (Carthage.edu). What results from acute Hepatitis B is determined by the body's immune response; if the body develops a strong immune defense against the infection, then it's most likely that the virus will clear out and the individual will recover. If the body has a weaker immune defense, the damage to the lever will be less but the risk of developing chronic Hepatitis B will be much higher.

Who has a higher risk of contracting Hepatitis B?
-individuals who were born to an infected mother
-individuals who inject drugs
-individuals on hemodialysis (treatment for kidney failure)
-men who engage in sexual behavior with men
-individuals who are from and/or have lived in particular parts of the world where Hepatitis B is apparent
-individuals who work in an environment that exposes them to blood or body fluids (ex: hospitals).


How is HBV transmitted?
Hepatitis B is transmitted by exposing oneself to blood or body secretions (semen, vaginal discharge, breast milk, saliva, etc) that is infected with the virus.  In the United States,  HBV is transmitted most commonly through sexual contact. Other transmissions include through the use of sharing needles (for injecting drugs, tattoos, etc) and sharing personal hygienic items with another individual that is infected with the virus.  


Symptoms of acute Hepatitis B (illness that occurs one to four months after being infected) may include:
-fever
-fatigue
-minimal or full loss of appetite
-nausea
-skin and eyes yellowing (jaundice)


Symptoms of chronic Hepatitis B may include:
-same as acute
-weight loss
-enlargement of the breasts in men
-development of rashes on the palms
-spider vein-like blood vessels

Hepatitis B is often called the "silent killer" because there are virtually no identifiable symptoms that distinguishes itself from other infections.

What is Hepatitis B? Introduction, Overview, and Facts

Hepatitis is defined as the inflammation of the liver. Inflammation occurs when there is swelling that results from injured or infected tissues from the body.  It is usually painful and red.  The liver is an organ in our body that is responsible for removing dangerous chemicals from our blood, fight infections, assist in digesting food, and collects nutrients, various vitamins, and energy. We cannot live without out liver!

Hepatitis B is the infection of the liver caused by the Hepatitis B virus, also known as HBV.  The Hepatitis B virus causes liver damage through triggering an immune response as the body tries to get rid of the virus.  The immune response in turn causes inflammation and will attack the liver cells.

Around 350 million people worldwide are infected with HPV, which counts for approximately 620,000 deaths yearly worldwide.  Approximately 46,000 new cases of hepatitis B occurred in the United States on 2006 (Centers for Disease and Control/CDC).  Here in the United States, those that are aged 25 to 44 years old tend to have higher rates of new HBV infections.  There has been a 75% decrease in new cases of HBV in the past decade, which is mostly likely due to an increase of awareness for vaccinations, HIV/AIDS, and safer sex practices.

First Post

Hello there, reader. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. My name is Tiffany Louie, and I am a student at City College of San Francisco. The primary purpose of this blog is to introduce readers to Hepatitis B, a virus that is prominent in the Asian American community. This blog is also an honors project for a health course I am taking this semester, with Professor Janey Skinner. Please feel free to add your own comments or questions, as we are all here to learn from each other.