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Most people who get hepatitis B get rid of the virus without any need for treatment other than weeks or months of rest and maybe avoiding alcohol, smoking and recreational drugs (for up to a year).
If a blood test after 6 months shows you’re a ‘carrier’ (meaning you have long term hepatitis and are still infectious to others) then medication can be given, possibly for months or 1 or 2 years (maybe longer). This should make you less infectious and reduce the risk of liver damage like liver cancer or cirrhosis (scarring of the liver).These drugs might completely get rid of the virus.
Three drugs can be used:
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Alpha interferon (injected 3 times a week for several months; side effects can include flu-like aches and depression) |
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3TC (also known as lamivudine or Epivir, one pill a day) |
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Adefovir (also known as Hespera, one pill a day, can cause nausea or diarrhoea) |
‘Carriers’ will have regular tests to see how their liver is working. A low fat and alcohol-free diet may be advised.
When hepatitis B causes severe liver damage a liver transplant may be needed but the new liver often becomes infected due to the hepatitis B virus already in the body.
Do you have a question about Hepatitis B that is not
answered on this website? Try www.britishlivertrust.org.uk
or www.hepb.org.uk
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