Is hepatitis B curable is a question that many people seek to understand when they know that hepatitis B is one of the risk factors leading to cirrhosis, liver failure, and even liver cancer.
Hepatitis B is caused by infection with the HBV virus and can be transmitted from person to person through contact with infected blood, or from mother to child. Chronic infection can cause serious long-term damage to the liver. So, can hepatitis B be cured? Let’s find the answer!
What is hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a condition in which liver tissue becomes inflamed due to infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV), along with other types of hepatitis such as hepatitis A , C, D and E. The disease begins with a temporary acute infection, which is usually short-lived and can disappear on its own. However, many cases will become chronic inflammation and are difficult to cure.
Long-term inflammation causes serious damage to the liver over time, which can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure . Like other chronic liver diseases , hepatitis B causes damage to the liver gradually without obvious symptoms. Many people do not even know they have the disease.
With acute hepatitis B, symptoms may be more noticeable than usual. However, when the disease becomes chronic, symptoms are often mild or not apparent for many years. By the time a person notices symptoms, the liver may already be failing.
Can hepatitis B be cured?
Can hepatitis B be cured? In fact, there are medications for hepatitis B. However, the cure rate for hepatitis B is low and the HBsAg test remains in the blood for a long time. Even when the patient is only a healthy carrier of the hepatitis B virus and has not been prescribed treatment, hepatitis B can still flare up and cause acute hepatitis or progress to chronic liver damage. Therefore, hepatitis B treatments have been studied and approved for use to control and manage the amount of virus, minimize liver damage and liver cancer complications, and improve the patient’s life expectancy.
Treatment options also vary depending on the individual case of hepatitis B.
Treatment to prevent hepatitis B infection after exposure to the virus
If you suspect you have been exposed to the hepatitis B virus, go to the hospital immediately and inform your doctor of the exposure. You will also need to provide information about whether you have been vaccinated against hepatitis B.
An injection of immune globulin (a type of antibody) within 24 hours of exposure to HBV can help protect you from hepatitis B. However, this only provides short-term protection, so you should still get vaccinated against hepatitis B if you haven’t had it before.
Is acute hepatitis B curable?
There is no specific treatment for acute hepatitis B , but many people recover from a temporary acute infection without treatment thanks to the body’s immune system. Patients will be advised to rest, eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of fluids, and monitor their symptoms.
In severe cases, the doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs or hospitalization for intravenous fluids, nutrients, and pain relief to monitor and prevent complications. If fulminant hepatitis causes liver failure, the patient may need plasma exchange, which has a mortality rate of 50-90%.
Can chronic hepatitis B be cured?
Being diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B means you will need regular monitoring for the rest of your life. The decision to start treatment will depend on many factors, including whether the virus has caused liver damage (inflammation, scarring, or cirrhosis ), whether you have another infection such as hepatitis C or HIV, and whether you are immune (whether you are taking immunosuppressive drugs). Treatment will reduce your risk of developing liver disease and prevent you from passing the virus to others.
Is hepatitis B curable? Treatment options for chronic hepatitis B include:
- Antiviral drugs. Some antiviral drugs such as entecavir , tenofovir , lamivudine , adefovir , telbivudine , adefovir can help fight the virus, slowing the process of liver damage caused by the virus. Your doctor may recommend a combination of two drugs or a single drug in combination with interferon to improve treatment response.
- Interferon injection. In the current regimen, Interferon alfa-2 is rarely used. Because the drug is used in the form of an infusion, it is expensive, has side effects, and is difficult to monitor. Side effects that may occur include nausea , vomiting, difficulty breathing, and depression. The drug is contraindicated in children under 1 year of age and pregnant women.
- Liver transplant. If your liver is severely damaged, your doctor may recommend a liver transplant . Most transplanted livers come from deceased donors, but a small number come from living donors who donate part of their liver.
