MEDICATION
Not every patient with chronic hepatitis B needs to be on medication. Although there is no cure for hepatitis B, there are effective treatments that can reduce the risk of liver disease. However, if your ALT level is elevated (indicating liver damage), antiviral medication may be appropriate.
Talk to your doctor about whether you are good candidate for drug therapy and make sure you discuss treatment rationale, options, side effects, and risks associated with each treatment.
Additionally, if you are chronically infected with hepatitis B and are starting cancer chemotherapy, you should be on HBV treatment to protect against potential flare-up of the hepatitis B infection and risk of liver failure.
How Do I Manage My Hepatitis B?
People with chronic HBV infection can live completely normal lives as long as they are screened regularly for liver damage and cancer.
Early detection and treatment will increase your chance of long-term survival.
Additionally:
- Avoid drinking alcohol because alcohol may accelerate the progression of liver damage
- Get the hepatitis A vaccine to reduce the risk of further liver damage
- Talk to your doctor before taking any prescriptions, over-the-counter medication, or herbal remedies
- Ensure that all members of your household and sexual contacts are tested and vaccinated if they are unprotected
- Do not share toothbrushes or razors, cover wounds, and use condoms to prevent transmission to others
- Do not donate blood, organs, tissue, or semen
Ask your physician for the following tests:
| Every | Test | Screens For |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months | ALT (alanine transaminase) blood test AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) blood test |
Liver damage Liver cancer |
| 1 year* | Ultrasound | Liver Cancer |
*If you have cirrhosis or a family history of liver cancer, increase the frequency of your ultrasound screening to every 6 months.