STD Information » Hepatitis B

Overview

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) attacks the liver. HBV is divided into two groups: acute and chronic. Acute patients are usually free from the disease within six months, while the chronic patients (generally those who developed HBV in infancy) generally have the disease for life.

How is Hepatitis B diagnosed?

A variety of blood tests can be used to diagnose HBV:

• HBV Surface Antigen Test
  Positive means you have HBV and can infect others
• Antibodies to HBV Surface Antigen
  Positive means you can't infect others or be infected
• Antibodies to HBV Core Antigen
  Can point to chronic condition but needs to be evaluated with other tests to be certain

If you are diagnosed with HBV, other tests may be performed as well:

• E-antigen Test
  Positive means that you have high levels of HBV and are very contagious
• Liver Enzymes
  To test the health of your liver
• Alpha-Fetoprotein Test
  Liver cancer may be indicated by heightened levels of this protein
• Hepatitis B DNA Test
  Detects how much of the virus is in your blood
• Liver Ultrasound or CT Scan
  Looks at liver for signs of cancer or scarring
• Liver Biopsy
  Determine the extent of liver damage

How is Hepatitis B treated?

If you know you have been in contact with HBV, contact your doctor immediately to receive a shot of hepatitis B immune globulin. This injection can possibly prevent you from developing HBV. Additionally, you should receive the first vaccination shot at that time.

Chronic HBV may be left to monitoring as opposed to treatment, though antiviral medications can be useful:

• Interferon
• Telbivudine (Tyzeka)
• Entecavir (Baraclude)
• Lamivudine (Epivir-HBV)
• Adefovir dipivoxil (Hepsera)

Severe liver damage, however, can only be treated through a liver transplant.

Recovery Time

Chronic HBV will last a lifetime, and controlling progression of liver damage is the main concern. However, acute HBV generally resolves itself in less than six months.

Sexual Activity

It is important that you abstain from sexual intercourse while you have HBV.

Partners and Re-infection

Additionally, all sexual partners should be made aware of your condition so that they can be tested, and if free from HBV, vaccinated against it. Once an acute case of HBV resolves itself, the person cannot get HBV again. However, they can still contract other types of hepatitis.

Recurrence

Acute HBV is not associated with any recurrences and chronic HBV does not usually go away. However, recurrence of HBV has been known to occur in patients who have received liver transplants. These risks are usually minimal since therapies are in place to help prevent them.