A 58-year-old male asked:
Can hepatits b be caused by chronic alcohol abuse, and is there a cure for it? i am a recovering alcoholic, sober for 12 years.no history of heavy drug use, no needles whatsoever.quite a past in the sex department, although only 3 partners in sobriety(12
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Laura McMullenanswered
Pediatrics 23 years experience
I : I added a link below from the center of disease control that may answer all of your questions in depth. To summarize:
you can only catch hepatitis b from:
- birth - mom to baby transmission
- sharing needles with an infected person
- having sex with an infected person
- being in direct contact with the blood or open sores of an infected person
- sharing a tooth brush or razor with an infected person (because of bleeding with those 2 activities)
you cannot catch hepatitis b through breastfeeding, drinking, saliva, sharing utensils, hugging, kissing, touching, coughing or sneezing.
6-10% of adults with hepatitis b go on to have chronic hepatitis b (that means in 90-94% of people, it just goes away). 15-25% of people with chronic hepatitis b will go on to have liver disease.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. John Funganswered
General Surgery 41 years experience
Hepatitis : Hepatitis b virus (hbv) affects about 2-4% of the us population and is mostly seen in patients immigrating from endemic areas (asia, south america), and in patients infected by sexual, mother-to-offspring and sharing of contaminated needles. Transmission by blood transfusions is extremely rare, given the sensitivity and completeness of testing by blood banks.
It is likely that you acquired hbv thru sexual exposure, if you are a carrier, you can spread this also thru sexual contact. Transmission can be prevented by vaccination of non-infected individuals with hbv vaccines, which is now mandatory in childhood. Chronic carriers are at risk for cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Treatment has greatly improved with the availability of compounds called nucleoside or nucleotide analogs that inhibit hbv virus replication. This treatment can reduce the risk of cirrhosis, infectivity to others and the risk for liver cancer. You should see a hepatologist to see if you need to be treated and if so, what treatment is best for you.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Related questions
A 37-year-old member asked:
Is it safe to drink alcohol socially and only moderately, one year after recovery from alcoholic hepatitis when bloods are normal? Thanks
Dr. Heidi Fowleranswered
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Risk: If your drinking was considerable enough to lead to alcoholic hepatitis it is a real risk to take drinking back up. The majority of people with this d... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
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A 25-year-old male asked:
I have elevated liver enzymes from alcohol abuse non I just drink non alcoholic and smoke a bit of pot after 2 mnths 1 lowered other went up why?
Dr. Moneil Patelanswered
General Practice 19 years experience
Numbers & Types: Liver enzymes are typically found within the cell and spill out when the liver is damaged. The actual number is typically not as important unless th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
When does alcoholic hepatitis (live inflammation from alcohol) occur?
Dr. Cosme Manzarbeitiaanswered
Surgery 41 years experience
Anytime: But it's more likely with alcohol abuse and/or binge drinking.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Is light-moderate alcohol consumption permitted after full recovery from alcoholic hepatitis with normal blood results ongoing.. ? I am not an alcoholic. Thanks
Dr. Elizabeth Finley-Belgradanswered
Child Psychiatry 36 years experience
Not recommended: In fatty liver disease, damage may be reversed if you abstain from alcohol for at least 2 weeks. Alcoholic liver disease starts with fatty liver, goes... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
147 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Does one previous episode of severe alcoholic hepatitis make you more susceptible to another episode even after bloods have normalised and with a normal liver, if you stay within the 14 units weekly alcohol limit? Thanks
Dr. Donald Colantinoanswered
Internal Medicine 63 years experience
Abstinence: Not all heavy alcohol drinkers develop alcoholic hepatitis. Therefore I am of the opinion that certain people are susceptible to the liver toxicity fr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
107 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Oct 3, 2016
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