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.