Question 1

i am a chronic hep b  inactive carrier. dr said i'll get a liver biopsy at some point in my life. does it mean liver cancer in  my future for sure?

Accepted Answer

No: According to who, about 25% of people infected as infants with chronic infection develop liver cancer. Needle biopsy will reveal activity of disease allow a better estimate of the risk. See the following for more info.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs204/en/.

Question 2

why do babies need to get a hep b vaccine in the hospital and not later on in life when it is safer?

Accepted Answer

To Save Lives: To prevent the rare case of neonatal hepatitis b, which may be deadly or cause permanent liver disease. And who says it is less safe to give an infant the vaccine. Safety is there for all ages.

Question 3

just diagnosed with hep b, depressed and learning to cope. is chirrosis and/or liver cancer inevitable?  is my life over? i'm 29, asian, female.

Accepted Answer

There's hope.: It's true that chronic, progressive infection with hepatitis b can lead to liver failure & cancer. But many recent advances in anti-viral medications have improved our ability to control the infection. Work with a hepatologist familiar with this disease. Follow the surveillance protocol closely. Avoid alcohol & drugs toxic to the liver, & if pregnant, get proper immunizations for the baby.

Question 4

wat is the medication for hep b?

Accepted Answer

Depends: There are several treatments for hepatitis b, but choosing one depends on the length of your exposure.  For immediate treatment after infection: vaccination + globulins are given.  For chronic stable: adefovir, pegylate interferon or/and entecavir.  For chronic: there are several combinations of drugs acting on two of the virus's receptors.  Please seek treatment from your primary care physician.

Question 5

what food should u eat with hep b?

Accepted Answer

Not the key: Comply with treatment and eat sensibly. Food choices are not the key to managing this or most other disease. Ignore silly stuff on the Internet and trust evidence-based medicine. Hepatitis B is serious business. Best wishes.

Question 6

why is my hep b surface ab so high?

Accepted Answer

You are immune!: To HBV anyway! the presence of a surface antibody to hepatitis b implies immunity.

Question 7

why does the hep b shot hurt so much?

Accepted Answer

Hard to say.: All vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system so there is always some local pain due to the influx of immune type cells.  Sometimes a vaccine can be injected close to a nerve or structure that is sensitive making the pain a bit more difficult.

Question 8

in what ways are hep. b and c transmitted?

Accepted Answer

Blood: Hepatitis b and c are both blood borne illnesses. They are transmitted from mother to child during birth. Sharing needles is the riskiest behavior for acquiring these infections.

Question 9

how long does it take to be cured of hep b?

Accepted Answer

No cure: It's uncommon to be completely cured of hepatitis b.  One achievable goal is to go from having a positive hbeag to a positive hbeab ("e antigen" to "e antibody" conversion) with treatment, which means your virus is less active and less infectious.  A small number of people convert from HBsAG to hbsab ("surface antigen" conversion), which is about as close as you get to a cure.

Question 10

i tested positive for hep b. what happens next?

Accepted Answer

Hep B: If you have chronic hep b, then your doctor will follow liver function tests, hep b viral dna load, hep b eag/ab. You may also need surveillance for liver cancer with regular liver sonogram and AFP (a tumor marker blood test).

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Doctor answers about:

Life expectancyof hep b

A member asked:

I am a chronic hep b inactive carrier. dr said i'll get a liver biopsy at some point in my life. does it mean liver cancer in my future for sure?

A member asked:

Why do babies need to get a hep b vaccine in the hospital and not later on in life when it is safer?

A member asked:

Just diagnosed with hep b, depressed and learning to cope. is chirrosis and/or liver cancer inevitable? is my life over? i'm 29, asian, female.

A member asked:

Wat is the medication for hep b?

A member asked:

What food should u eat with hep b?

A member asked:

Why is my hep b surface ab so high?

A member asked:

Why does the hep b shot hurt so much?

A member asked:

In what ways are hep. b and c transmitted?

A member asked:

How long does it take to be cured of hep b?

A member asked:

I tested positive for hep b. what happens next?

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