The most severe effect of acute hepatitis B is dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea.

If you are dehydrated, your doctor may prescribe IV fluid to help you feel better.

If you are experiencing significant nausea and vomiting, you will receive medicines to control these symptoms.

People whose symptoms are well controlled can be cared for at home.

If dehydration or other symptoms are severe or if you are extremely confused or difficult to arouse, you may need to stay in the hospital.

There is no treatment that can prevent acute HBV infection from becoming chronic.

The degree of liver damage is related to the amount of active, replicating (multiplying) virus in the blood and liver. Regularly measuring the amount of HBV DNA in the blood gives a good idea of how fast the virus is multiplying. The treatments now in use are antiviral drugs, which stop the virus from multiplying.

Antiviral agents, while the best therapy known for chronic hepatitis B, do not work in all individuals with the disease.

Although there are several antiviral agents for chronic hepatitis B approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), research is ongoing. This means that dosages and treatment recommendations are subject to change.

Research is ongoing to find medications that work better with fewer side effects.

Treatment is usually started when blood tests indicate that liver functions are deteriorating and the amount of replicating HBV is rising. The interval between diagnosis and starting treatment can be a year or two or several years. Many people may never require medication.
SOURCE SITE :
http://www.emedicinehealth. com/hepatitis_b/page8_em.htm

Answered by Sanya Tahir , an ibibo Master, at 10:02 AM on September 11, 2008

hi there

Symptoms and signs of hepatitis B can range from none to minimal in the early stages of the illness, to jaundice (yellowing of the skin), nausea, abdominal pain, fever, and malaise in the acute phase. Appetite loss, fatigue, itching, dark urine and pale stools are some common symptoms.

After the initial infection, carriers of hepatitis B usually have few symptoms.

Answered by Reeta K , an ibibo Master, at 4:19 PM on August 25, 2008

In the majority of patients with active HBV, symptoms will not be severe and treatment will not be required. The patient will be monitored and after a few months the patient’s immune system should fight off the virus, giving the patient natural immunity.

In around 5% of adults, 30-50% of young children (aged 1-4), and 90% of infants, HBV infection will become chronic. The virus is more deadly to the young and those that are infected at birth have a 25% chance of developing a life-threatening liver-related illness.

Antiviral medication is given as treatment to those with chronic symptoms to help prevent further liver damage. These medications may be injected or given in pill form. Examples are Interferon Alpha, Lamivudine and Baraclude. Treatment usually lasts 6 months, during which the patient will be carefully monitored.

Regardless of whether the infection is producing symptoms or not, the patient will be advised to avoid alcohol, get plenty of rest and maintain a healthy diet.

Answered by alok , an ibibo Master, at 9:03 PM on August 16, 2008

Well Sana ,

Acute hepatitis B usually goes away by itself and does not require medical treatment. If very severe, symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea may require treatment to restore fluids and electrolytes. There are no medications that can prevent acute hepatitis B from becoming chronic.

If you have chronic hepatitis B, you should see your health care provider regularly.

Source site :

http://www.emedicinehealth.com /hepatitis_b/page6_em.htm#Hepatitis %20B%20Treatment

Answered by Priyanka C , an ibibo Master, at 7:54 PM on August 15, 2008

dear sana!
Hepatitis B is treated by taking absolute bed rest,high glucose intake and proper care regarding jaundice.

Answered by Cuty * , an ibibo Specialist, at 8:25 AM on August 15, 2008

well sana Acute hepatitis B infection

The most severe effect of acute hepatitis B is dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea.

If you are dehydrated, your doctor may prescribe IV fluid to help you feel better.


If you are experiencing significant nausea and vomiting, you will receive medicines to control these symptoms.


People whose symptoms are well controlled can be cared for at home.


If dehydration or other symptoms are severe or if you are extremely confused or difficult to arouse, you may need to stay in the hospital.


There is no treatment that can prevent acute HBV infection from becoming chronic.
Chronic hepatitis B infection
The degree of liver damage is related to the amount of active, replicating (multiplying) virus in the blood and liver. Regularly measuring the amount of HBV DNA in the blood gives a good idea of how fast the virus is multiplying. The treatments now in use are antiviral drugs, which stop the virus from multiplying.

Antiviral agents, while the best therapy known for chronic hepatitis B, do not work in all individuals with the disease.


Although there are several antiviral agents for chronic hepatitis B approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), research is ongoing. This means that dosages and treatment recommendations are subject to change.


Research is ongoing to find medications that work better with fewer side effects.

Antiviral therapy is not appropriate for everyone with chronic HBV infection. It is reserved for people whose infection is most likely to progress to chronic hepatitis B.


Decisions to start medications for treatment of hepatitis B are made by you and your health care provider, often in consultation with a specialist in diseases of the digestive system (gastroenterologist) or liver (hepatologist).


The decision is based on results of liver function tests, HBV DNA tests, and, frequently, liver biopsies after a complete history and physical examination.


Depending on the results of these tests, you may decide to start therapy or to delay it until later.

Treatment is usually started when blood tests indicate that liver functions are deteriorating and the amount of replicating HBV is rising. The interval between diagnosis and starting treatment can be a year or two or several years. Many people may never require medication.
If you have chronic hepatitis B infection and think you might be pregnant, let your health care provider know right away. If you are pregnant and think you have been exposed to hepatitis B, let your health care provider know right away.

for more inf check http://www.emedicinehealth.com/hepa titis_b/page8_em.htm

Answered by sanjay , an ibibo Guru, at 11:22 PM on August 14, 2008

hello sana

treatment for exposure to hepatitis B virus involves either hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG), hepatitis B vaccine, or a combination of both. The HBIG dose equals 0.06 mL/kg. Efficacy ranges from 70 to 95 percent for different types of exposure.

formore detail refer
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.co m/h/hepatitis_b/treatments.htm#trea tment_discussion

Answered by Saq , an ibibo Master, at 10:12 PM on August 14, 2008

Treatment
In most countries a patient with a positive test result will be referred to a specialist who will carry out further tests to determine the degree to which hepatitis B may be affecting the liver, and what may be the best treatment options. In these tests a small sample of liver tissue may need to be taken (a liver biopsy).

In the majority of patients with active HBV, symptoms will not be severe and treatment will not be required. The patient will be monitored and after a few months the patient’s immune system should fight off the virus, giving the patient natural immunity.

In around 5% of adults, 30-50% of young children (aged 1-4), and 90% of infants, HBV infection will become chronic. The virus is more deadly to the young and those that are infected at birth have a 25% chance of developing a life-threatening liver-related illness.

Antiviral medication is given as treatment to those with chronic symptoms to help prevent further liver damage. These medications may be injected or given in pill form. Examples are Interferon Alpha, Lamivudine and Baraclude. Treatment usually lasts 6 months, during which the patient will be carefully monitored.

Regardless of whether the infection is producing symptoms or not, the patient will be advised to avoid alcohol, get plenty of rest and maintain a healthy diet.

visit /www.avert.org/

Answered by Jyothi , an ibibo Master, at 8:28 PM on August 14, 2008

acute hepatitis B:
in this case the treatment is supportive with monitering for acute liver failure ,which occurs in less than 1% cases!
chronic hepatitis B:
treatment is still limited,with no drug able to eradicate hepatitis B infection completely!
alfa interferon is the most effective in the selected patients with a low viral load and serum transaminases greater than twice the upper limit of norma ! LAMIVUDINE is a nucleoside analogue which inhibits DNA polymerase and supresses HBV-DNA levels .it is effective i improving liver function in patients with decopensated cirrhosis and may prevent the need for transplantation!
and many more drugs are available but any way their effectiveness is limited!

Answered by surendra , an ibibo Advisor, at 8:19 PM on August 14, 2008

Treatment of hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection depends on how active the virus is and whether you are at risk for liver damage such as cirrhosis. Short-term (acute) hepatitis B usually goes away on its own. Home treatment is used to relieve symptoms and help prevent spread of the virus. In long-term (chronic) HBV infection, treatment includes monitoring the condition and using antiviral medications to prevent liver damage. If hepatitis B has severely damaged your liver, a liver transplant may be considered.

Answered by Vinay Kiran , an ibibo Specialist, at 8:12 PM on August 14, 2008