Is there any cure for hepatitis B?

Question

Hepatitis B

Answer 1

No, but there is a wonderful vaccine available out there if you are not already infected (Let's hope so). It didn't cost me anything (health-care practitioner) but it normally runs patients about 150 dollars. I've seen plenty of Hep B and plenty of people without Hep B; You really don't want to have it. If you are infected you should (maybe you already have) see an infectious disease doctor. Hope that this helps you out. Best of luck.

Answer 2

Unfortunately, hepatitis B still has no cure. There are a lot of drugs now out in the market that prevent the virus from multiplying or control the infection but so far the results are still low. Treatment of hepatitis B depends on a lot of factors but it still boils down to how your body can mount a response against the virus.

Answer 3

treatment with inteferon *can result in a sustained viral response. if you remain "sustained" for a year, chances are it is safe to use the "cure" word. however, like with any virus, there is always a chance of it reactivating.

What is Interferon?

Interferon's occur naturally in the body and are part of the bodies natural defence system against infection.

When the body it attacked by a virus, cells release interferons. There are three main groups of interferons: alpha, beta and gamma. These interferons help prevent the virus from infecting new cells and act as chemical messengers to alter the immune system. By injecting controlled quantities of interferon it is hoped to boost the bodies natural defences so that they can destroy the virus.

Currently the most generally available treatment for chronic active hepatitis B is interferon Alpha-2B (Intron-A) although interferon Alpha-2A (Roferon-A) is sometimes used.



How successful is Interferon for Hepatitis B

Treatment is generally only offered to those with the "e" antigen.

*The success rate of IF for Hepatitis B is 20-25% to cure, 25% - 45% to convert from active to persistent/subclinical HB. The success rate is lower in cases of long term infection, Success rates are lower if co-infected with HIV and relapse rates are higher, so a HIV test may be appropriate.

For people who have a partial response (I.e. loss of the 'e' antigen but the surface antigen is still present) they may go on to a full response (I.e. loss of the surface antigen) but this can take many years in a recent study after 5 years there was a 70% loss of the surface antigen in initial partial responders. However the return of the 'e' antigen has also been noted after several years in some people so it is important to have your antigen status tested periodically even after "successful" treatment with interferon.

There is also a risk of reactivation of the hepatitis B virus even after a successful response, this occurs in around 5% of responders and normally occurs within 1 year. This is most common in those coinfected with HIV.

Hepatitis B reactivation has also been noted on those on immunosuppresive drugs, although this is very rare in patients who have lost the surface antigen.

Several factors have been identified that can improve or reduce the chances of a successful response but there is as yet no way to identify individuals who will respond. Factors include:-

Factors that are beneficial include:

High ALT
Low HBV DNA
Being female
Heterosexual Orientation.
Factors that are detrimental include:

Low initial ALT
High HBV DNA
Being male
Homosexual orientation
Being of Asian/Chinese origin (This may be due to a genetic factor or due to the large number of childhood infections)
Coinfection with HIV.


good luck and ask your doctor about the latest trials.

Answer 4

ask webmd.com and search hepatitis.

Answer 5

There is treatment but there is no cure.