Is Hepatitis B infection treatable?

Question

My friend is planning to work abroad. He underwent medical chech up for final screening when he was found to be HBsAg positive. He was subsequently denied.

Answer 1

Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Fortunately, most people who become infected with HBV are able to clear the virus from their bloodstream and develop immunity. People who have not cleared their virus after six months are considered to have chronic hepatitis B — a condition that often requires treatment to prevent further damage to the liver. Left untreated, chronic hepatitis B can lead to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver cancer, liver failure and death.

Hepatitis B is different than hepatitis A or C. Hepatitis A is an acute (short-term) infection spread through feces or contaminated water or food. An effective vaccine is available and most patients recover completely within 6 to 10 weeks. Hepatitis C is spread through infected blood and body fluids (predominantly through injection drug use). There is no vaccine and approximately 85% of those infected will develop a chronic condition.

Answer 2

No. Hepatitis B is non-treatable, in the sense that there is no cure for it. What doctors can do at most would be to give supportive treatment. That is, to prevent it from progressing and avoiding possible complications.

Having positive titers of HbsAg could mean different things. It can mean that she is having either an acute infection, or she is a carrier. Either one, there is no effective cure currently.

Hepatitis B infections can undergo remission on their own, meaning they can just go away without doctors doing anything. This is often the case. (up to 90%) Or they can stay with the patient for a long time, then she becomes a carrier. (10% of infections become chronic.) A carrier can transfer it to another person via sexual contact, blood products transfusion, or vertically (infected mother to newborn child). Having Hepatitis B infection also predisposes one to be co-infected with Hepatitis D.

Other lab tests would be appropriate to be done. Anti-HBc, HbeAg and Anti-Hbe would provided a clearer picture of your friend's condition.

Answer 3

Don't believe the antivaccination kooks who buy into scare tactics and junk science. Hepatitis B is a serious illness with some frightening consequences. You can die from the infection itself, or develop liver failure or even liver cancer later. The vaccine is safe enough to be given to newborns in the hospital for goodness sakes! Vaccines like all medicines has some risk and some may be allergic, but the risks are very small and far less than the risks of the disease. I have worked in health care and have had several courses of the HepB vaccine because I have a medical condition that makes developing antibodies difficult. (Most people only need one course of three injections given over a six month period.) I've never had a problem with the vaccine although some people may have mild flu-like symptoms. Hepatitis is a very contagious virus and can be caught from a scratchn on your skin if exposed to infected fluids. It is much more contagious than HIV and since we have a pretty good vaccine it makes sense to avoid it. If your employer is paying it will save you about $100. Worry much more about the disease than the prevention. (By the way, Hep B can be sexually transmitted as well.)

Answer 4

My father has Hepatitis B, yes it is treatable, but saddly is not cureable. Hepatitis B can be just as devastating as Hepatitis C. Hepatitis B alkie Aids or HIV can sit in remition for years, and my fathers has ben for almost 14 years now, so don't automatically assume the worst. Yet at anytime it can unpredictably start to wreak havoc, so always be diligent when reminding your friend of his appointments, and although I do not know you, I do know how much of a sad shock it is to find out that someone close to you has a serious illness and want you to know that you have the right to contact me at anytime with further questions, or merely just for a shoulder to elan or cry on,...

Other thing you should know, if you are close with this friend I would talk with them about you getting yourself immunized, it's easy and relatively cheap,...I had to go for a series of I believe 3 or four shots, and then I could kiss and hug my father again with no worries.

If ya need me send me a message I mean it,...

Dora

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Is Hepatitis B infection treatable?
My friend is planning to work abroad. He underwent medical chech up for final screening when he was found to be HBsAg positive. He was subsequently denied.

Answer 6

Is Hepatitis B Curable

Answer 7

Which Hepatitis Is Curable

Answer 8

If your liver is shown to be working fairly well, the first treatment offered will be a drug called peginterferon alfa 2-a.
Depending on the results of monitoring tests, you may need to take different medication at a later date. If your liver is showing signs of failing, or peginterferon alpha-2a is not suitable or not working for you, your doctor is likely to offer antiviral medication. This is usually tenofovir or entecavir.

To know more measures to improve liver you can see all information related to fatty liver diseases at:http://adola.net/go/fattyliver-bible/

Have a good health!

Answer 9

Im afraid hepatitis B isn't curable...it runs in the body as long as he lives although he might get over the obvious symptoms like the yellowing of skin and eyes...

Answer 10

Yes it is. Hepatitis C is the one to worry about. Tell him to get to the doctor and get treatment right away.