Can I Be Cured Of Hepatitis B

Chronic Hepatitis B Symptoms

Most patients with chronic hepatitis B are asymptomatic unless their disease progresses. Others might have nonspecific symptoms, such as fatigue.

Some patients experience worsening of the infection and develop signs and symptoms similar to acute hepatitis.

If patients with chronic hepatitis B progress to cirrhosis they will develop signs and symptoms of liver failure, including:

• Peripheral edema

Its Great Weve Got But Its Not Where We Need To Be He Says One Class Is Hard To Take The Other You Need To Take Forever

HBVs assault on the liver causes a disease called Hepatitis B . Most adults with hepB recover within one to three months after symptoms start, but when the infection persists longer than six months its considered chronic. As the virus attacks the liver cells, it leaves behind nasty scars called fibrosis. In up to one-third of the patients the scars become severe , eventually resulting in liver failure or liver cancer. While hepB can be fatal, it is treatable, but it is also easily prevented to a degree of 95% through routine, safe, immunisation.

Upscaling vaccination, screening and treatment is the best way to keep this viral criminal at bay. New developments or scientific breakthroughs in any of these three areas is bad news for HBV, but good news for us. So, when scientists on the frontline say this deadly disease is about to meet its match, its great news.

There Is No Cure For Chronic Hepatitis B That Could Change

A trio of leading hepatitis researchers survey the treatments in development for chronic hepatitis B. They end on a high note: That for the first time in 20 years, a cure is in sight.

With the surge in the development of drugs for hepatitis B over the last few years, researchers from the Institute of Hepatology Foundation for Liver Research at Kings College London recently published a comprehensive overview of the therapeutics being evaluated.

Chronic hepatitis B viral infection remains one the biggest threats to global public health, with 296 million chronically infected people worldwide, according to a 2019 report from the World Health Organization. The WHO estimates that 1.5 million people are newly infected each year. Around the world, an estimated 820,000 people die each year from hepatitis B and related complications.

The goal of current hepatitis B therapies is to suppress viral replication to reduce liver damage and improve the patient survival rate, noted Sandra Phillips, Ravi Jagatia and Shilpa Chokshi in their review, which was published in the journal Virulence late last year. But advances in hepatitis research, the success of curative antiviral treatments for chronic hepatitis C and promising compounds undergoing clinical evaluation, offer hope for new and better treatments for patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Here is a rundown on some of the promising research highlighted by Phillips, Jagatia and Chokshi

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Injections: Interferon And Pegylated Interferon

Pegylated interferon is given as an injection once per week. It can be used alone or with an oral hepatitis B medication. Patients with both chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis D infection may need pegylated interferon alone or combined with an oral hepatitis B pill.

• Pegylated interferon therapy is usually given for 48 weeks.
• Pegylated interferon may cause many side effects, such as flu-like symptoms, rashes, irritability, and depression.
• Side effects to interferon require close monitoring with routine blood tests.

Is Hepatitis B Curable

Theres no cure for hepatitis B. The good news is it usually goes away by itself in 4 to 8 weeks. More than 9 out of 10 adults who get hepatitis B totally recover.

However, about 1 in 20 people who get hepatitis B as adults become carriers, which means they have a chronic hepatitis B infection. Carriers are more likely to pass hepatitis B to other people. Most carriers are contagious meaning they can spread hepatitis B for the rest of their lives.

Hepatitis B infections that last a long time may lead to serious liver diseases like cirrhosis and liver cancer. About 1 in 5 people with chronic hepatitis B die from it. There are medicines that can help treat chronic hepatitis B infections.

Most babies who get hepatitis B during birth develop chronic infection, unless they get treated right away. But treatments are almost always effective if your baby gets them quickly. Thats why its important for pregnant people to get tested for hepatitis B.

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Is Banana Good For Hepatitis B

Bananas have emerged as the best candidate to deliver a bite-sized vaccine for hepatitis B virus to millions of people in developing countries, according to an article scheduled for the June 1 issue of ACS Biotechnology Progress, a bi-monthly journal co-published with the American Institute of Chemical Engineers

The Hepatitis B Vaccine

Getting the hepatitis B vaccine is one of the most effective ways to prevent hepatitis B. Its usually administered in two, three, or four doses. In many countries, infants receive their first dose of the vaccine at birth.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that infants receive their first dose of the vaccine at birth and finish all doses at 6 to 18 months old.

The CDC also recommends all children under the age of 19 years old be vaccinated if they havent already received the vaccination.

Adults can also get the hepatitis B vaccine. The vaccine is generally recommended if you have an increased risk of contracting the virus. Some of these risk factors include:

• traveling to or living in a region where hepatitis B is common
• being sexually active with more than one partner or with a partner who has hepatitis B
• working in a medical setting or other workplaces where youre exposed to bodily fluids
• using intravenous drugs and sharing drug equipment
• having chronic liver disease, a human immunodeficiency virus infection, a hepatitis C infection, diabetes, or kidney disease on dialysis

If youve been exposed to the hepatitis B virus and havent been vaccinated, try to see a doctor right away. They can administer the first dose of the vaccine, though youll need to follow up to receive the remaining doses over the next few months.

They may also prescribe a medication called

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There Are Many People Who Do Not Understand The Importance Of Safe Sex But After Knowing That There Are Some Incurable Stds You Shouldn’ Take Risks

Engaging in safe sex is crucial not only to prevent vaginal infections but also to be aware of the possibility of contracting sexually transmitted diseases . A STD is a bacteria or virus that is spread by sexual contact and can seriously harm your sexual health. It is not a typical infection that can be easily treated. Unfortunately, there are also some incurable STDs.

In an exclusive chat with Health Shots, Dr Neha Bothara, Consultant-Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hiranandani Hospital Vashi-A Fortis Network Hospital, about which STDs cannot be completely cured.

What Is The Outlook For People With Hepatitis B

The outlook for people with HBV is better now than ever before. You are certainly able to live a full life and help yourself stay healthy. You should make sure to have regular check-ups with a healthcare provider who is qualified to treat hepatitis B, possibly a liver doctor.

Make sure you are vaccinated against hepatitis A. Check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking other medications or over-the-counter products, including supplements and natural products. These could interfere with your medication or damage your liver. For instance, taking acetaminophen in large doses may harm your liver.

Follow the usual guidelines for living a healthy life:

• Eat nutritious foods, choosing from a variety of vegetables, fruits and healthy proteins. It is said that cruciferous vegetables are especially good at protecting the liver.
• Exercise regularly.
• Dont smoke and dont drink. Both tobacco and alcohol are bad for your liver.
• Do things that help you cope with stress, like journaling, talking with others, meditating and doing yoga.
• Avoid inhaling toxic fumes.

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How Is Hepatitis B Treated

Your healthcare provider will treat you based on what type of hepatitis B you have, acute or chronic.

Acute hepatitis B infections

If you develop an acute form of the condition, you probably wont need medical treatment. Instead, your doctor will likely suggest that you get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids and maintain a healthy diet to support your body as it fights off the infection.

Chronic hepatitis B infections

If you have chronic hepatitis B, you might be a candidate for drug therapy. Usually, drug therapy is used only if you have active liver disease. There are seven drugs that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat hepatitis B. Two are injectable forms of interferon, while the five other antivirals are tablets.

You will need to take these medications every day. They help by slowing the viruss ability to multiply in your system. This helps reduce swelling and liver damage. Youll need to be regularly monitored for early signs of liver damage and liver cancer. Your healthcare provider will want to see you once or twice a year.

Check If You Have Hepatitis B

Symptoms of hepatitis B infection include:

• a high temperature
• pain in your upper tummy
• feeling sick or being sick
• patches of raised skin that may be itchy
• yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes

The infection usually lasts for 1 to 3 months and most people either have no symptoms or mild symptoms. If the infection lasts longer than 6 months it is called chronic hepatitis B.

Also Check: Hepatitis C Viral Load Labcorp

How Far Have We Got

Some exciting research is underway around the world, including the recent identification of the cell receptor which allows the virus to infect the body. This has enabled studies of the complete virus replication cycle including the viral reservoir that is untouched by current therapies.

New approaches to a possible cure include mechanisms to block the virus entry into the cell and to stop the virus from making the proteins it needs to replicate and infect new cells.

Studies are also underway to enhance patients immune responses so their own natural defences can control or even eliminate the virus. This is similar to immunotherapies already being used to treat some cancers.

Read more:Explainer: the A, B, C, D and E of hepatitis

Its likely a hepatitis B cure will require a dual-pronged approach, directly targeting the virus while also enhancing the immune response in people who are infected.

The goal is to reduce the amount of virus in the body and restore the persons immune responses. This is called a functional cure and is similar to what happens when a person naturally gets rid of the virus. It would also mean they didnt need to take drugs any more.

Some of these approaches are now in early stage human clinical trials. More than 30 drugs have been developed and are being tested in people with chronic hepatitis B. However, much more work needs to be done to achieve a cure.

How Is It Currently Treated

There is no cure for chronic hepatitis B virus.

In most cases, treatment requires taking a pill every day for life to remain effective and to reduce the risk of liver cancer. Even then, it doesnt eliminate the risk.

Chronic hepatitis B hasnt been cured so far in part because current therapies have failed to destroy the viral reservoir, where the virus hides in the cell.

This is in contrast to hepatitis C virus, which has no such viral reservoir and can now be cured with as little as 12 weeks of treatment.

Read more:In contrast to Australia’s success with hepatitis C, our response to hepatitis B is lagging

Despite the huge human and economic toll of chronic hepatitis B, research to cure the disease remains underfunded. There is a misconception that because there is a vaccine, hepatitis B is no longer a problem.

The availability of effective cures for the unrelated hepatitis C virus has also led people to believe that viral hepatitis is no longer a problem.

Experts estimate that liver cancer deaths will substantially increase in coming decades without a cure for hepatitis B, despite deaths from most cancers decreasing.

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Who Should Be Vaccinated For Hepatitis B

All newborns should be vaccinated. Also, people who are under 18 who were not vaccinated at birth should also get the vaccine. Other groups who should be sure to be vaccinated are those in certain high-risk categories, such as:

• People who have more than one sexual partner.
• Men who have sex with men.
• Adults with diabetes.
• Sexual partners of infected people and people who share households with infected individuals.
• People who are exposed to blood and other bodily fluids, including healthcare and public safety professionals, and people who work in jails and other places taking care of people who cant take care of themselves.

Hepatitis B Causes And Risk Factors

Itâs caused by the hepatitis B virus, and it can spread from person to person in certain ways. You can spread the hepatitis B virus even if you donât feel sick.

The most common ways to get hepatitis B include:

• Sex. You can get it if you have unprotected sex with someone who has it and your partnerâs blood, saliva, , or vaginal secretions enter your body.
• Sharing needles. The virus spreads easily via needles and syringes contaminated with infected blood.
• Accidental needle sticks.Health care workers and anyone else who comes in contact with human blood can get it this way.
• Mother to child.Pregnant women with hepatitis B can pass it to their babies during childbirth. But thereâs a vaccine to prevent newborns from becoming infected.

Hepatitis B doesnât spread through kissing, food or water, shared utensils, coughing or sneezing, or through touch.

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Is Hepatitis B Preventable

Chronic hepatitis B infection affects at least 250 million people worldwide, causing over 880,000 deaths annually. It is also the major cause of liver cancer, the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.

Unlike its cousin hepatitis C, hepatitis B can be prevented with vaccines. If you are accidentally exposed to the virus, there are also drug therapies you can takeâcalled postexposure prophylaxisâto avert the infection.

How Is Hepatitis B Prevented

Testing & Vaccination

• The hepatitis B vaccine offers excellent protection against HBV. The vaccine is safe and highly effective. Vaccination consists of 3 doses of vaccine over the course of 6 months. Protection lasts for 20 years to life.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children should receive hepatitis B vaccine starting at birth. .
• The CDC recommends hepatitis B vaccine for persons traveling to countries where HBV is common .
• If you have one or more risk factors for hepatitis B infection, you should get a simple HBV blood test. The blood test will determine whether you are:
• immune to hepatitis B or
• susceptible to hepatitis B and need vaccination or
• infected with hepatitis B and need further evaluation by a physician

Perinatal Hepatitis

• California law requires testing of all pregnant women for hepatitis B infection
• If the mother is HBV-infected, she will pass the infection to the baby during the birth process, unless the baby gets immunized within hours of birth
• Giving the infant HBIG and HBV vaccine right away will reliably prevent infection of the infant
• Other family members should best tested for hepatitis B too, and given vaccine if they are not already infected or immune

Healthy Habits

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Hepatitis B Treatment: Medication

There are five FDA-approved oral medications and one injection available to treat hepatitis B. The newer oral medications are stronger and less likely to develop viral resistance and have very few side effects.

The medication cannot cure the disease, but can help reduce the number of viruses in the body and the risk of complications. You may undergo periodic blood tests to monitor drug resistance and determine whether the medication is having an effect.

Can Hepatitis B Be Cured

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Symptoms Of Hepatitis A Include:

Most people with hepatitis C will develop chronic hepatitis, which can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. There are several medications available to treat hepatitis C, and many people can be cured of the infection.

In addition to viral hepatitis, other causes of liver inflammation include alcohol abuse, certain medications and toxins, and autoimmune hepatitis, which is a condition in which the immune system attacks the liver.

Treatment for hepatitis depends on the cause of the liver inflammation and the severity of the illness. In some cases, treatment involves medications to reduce inflammation, such as corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs. In other cases, treatment involves lifestyle changes, such as quitting alcohol or avoiding certain medications or toxins. In severe cases, a liver transplant may be necessary.

To prevent hepatitis, it is important to practice good hygiene, such as washing your hands frequently and avoiding contact with contaminated blood or other body fluids. It is also important to get vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B, and to avoid risky behaviors, such as sharing needles or engaging in unprotected sex.