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For acute Hepatitis B there is no recognised treatment apart from complete
avoidance of alcohol and rest until you are recovered which can take many months.
There is some evidence to suggest that Milk Thistle can reduce the recovery period so you
may wish to consider discuss taking this with your doctor.
If after 6 months the Hepatitis B surface antigen is still present then you
are considered to have chronic Hepatitis B.
This is a rare type of acute hepatitis that is frequently fatal. Rapid deterioration
occurs and the onset of hepatic encephalopathy is an indicator of serious illness
and comma can develop within a few hours. There is massive liver cell death
and size of the liver decreases "Acute Yellow Atrophy" this is frequently accompanied
by bleeding. Renal failure frequently occurs and this generally indicates a
fatal outcome.
Survival is uncommon in adults but in children the prognosis is better. At
present no therapeutic measures have been found effective and the best hope
for recovery depends on attending to complications as they develop and meticulous
nursing care. Emergency liver transplantation has also had moderate success.
Survivors of fulminant Hepatitis B generally make a complete recovery and without
liver damage.
Considering both conventional and complimentary medicine there appear to be
three main classes of treatment
- Anti Virals
Treatments in this category attempt to suppress or destroy the Hepatitis
B virus by attacking the virus or using other methods such as interfering
with viral reproduction. Examples of these include Famciclovir,
Lamivudine, N-Acetyl-Cysteine, glycyrrhizin (liquorice root) and Phylanthus Amarus. It should be noted that the
above are either experimental and/or there effects unproven.
- Immune Modulators
These aim to modulate the human immune system to enable the body to mount
it's own defence against the virus. Examples include the Interferon's
and Thymosin Alpha. The only generally approved treatment,
Interferon alpha 2b, is in this category.
- Protectors
These aim to protect liver cells from damage, aid the liver to regenerate
itself and so prevent development of cirrhosis or other problems. Examples
include Milk Thistle, Vitamin
E and Selenium. Although there is evidence that the above can protect
the liver and that they may be beneficial in cases of chronic viral hepatitis
there is not enough research to prove conclusively any benefit at present.
Unfortunately none of these treatments is 100% successful and there is no proven
"cure", treatment depends on may factors including serology, stage of liver
disease, presence of cirrhosis age, co-infection with other viruses,
and the individuals response to drugs/herbs etc. The following chapters contain
information on many forms of treatment that you may wish to consider and discuss
with your doctor.
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