What are the treatments for the infection?

Treatment of hepatitis B includes:

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.