Hepatitis B Diagnosis and Treatment: What You Need to Know
Hepatitis B is a severe liver-targeting viral infection that can lead to serious health issues when not treated. Worldwide, nearly 300 million people have a chronic hepatitis B virus infection and are not aware of their serostatus. If not properly managed, it can progress to debilitating complications like cirrhosis, liver failure, and even liver cancer.
We like educating our patients at Chase Lodge Hospital. This guide is your resource on everything hepatitis B, including causes and symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, and prevention, for you to take a proactive stance on liver health.
What is Hepatitis B?
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) infects the liver cells, causing hepatitis B, an inflammation of the liver. The infection can be:
- Acute: A brief illness in which the immune system eliminates the virus within six months.
- Chronic: An infection that can last a long time, with HBV remaining in the body and potentially causing liver damage over time.
5–10% of adults who have been infected with the Hepatitis B virus go on to develop chronic HBV infection, whereas 90% of [text truncated for coherence]. Timely discovery and treatment are vital in avoiding long-term sequelae.
Causes and Transmission
HBV is transmitted by exposure to infected blood, tissue, or other body fluids, including:
- Having sex with a person who is already infected.
- Taking part in risky behaviour, such as sharing needles or other drug-injection equipment.
- Perinatal transmission from mother to child.
- Needle sticks (common in healthcare workers).
The Hepatitis B virus cannot be transmitted by common touch, such as coughing, sharing food, or hugging. Knowing how it spreads is an important tool to reduce the stigma of the virus and prevent transmission.
Symptoms of Hepatitis B
Most people infected with Hepatitis B do not have any symptoms initially, particularly in the early phase of the disease. In the event that symptoms appear, they may include:
- Fatigue and weakness.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Jaundice (yellow colour of skin and eyes).
- Dark urine and pale stools.
- Pain in your belly, especially around your liver.
Newly acquired infections are mostly symptomless; however, an acute infection can manifest similarly to the flu and may result in a chronic infection that can take decades to become symptomatic. Testing is often necessary, particularly for those at higher risk.
Diagnosis
Early diagnosis can limit liver damage. At Chase Lodge Hospital, we carry out blood tests for the following:
- Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg): A sign of a current infection.
- Antibody to core antigen (anti-HBc): Indicates a current or previous infection.
- Anti-HBs (antibody to surface antigen): Indicates immunity (from vaccination or natural recovery).
- HBV DNA test: Quantifies the viral load in a patient with a chronic illness.
- LFT (ALT, AST): Assesses liver disease.
Liver and viral levels must be continuously monitored in patients with chronic HBV.
Treatment Options
Acute Hepatitis B
The majority of acute cases are self-limiting. Treatment focuses on:
- Rest and hydration.
- Abstinence from alcohol and medicines that harm the liver (e.g., overdose of paracetamol).
- Monitoring for worsening symptoms.
Chronic Hepatitis B
If the virus does not resolve, antiviral treatments—such as tenofovir or entecavir—can control HBV, reducing liver damage. Liver specialists may recommend, in severe cases:
- Routine ultrasounds and blood tests.
- We use the word “progression” because almost no one will regress, and we don’t want to give the false impression that lifestyle modifications (good diet, no alcohol) will reverse the condition.
- On rare occasions, a liver transplant can be required.
Prevention
The Hepatitis B vaccine is 98–100% effective. Most people do not experience side effects. The vaccine is recommended for:
- Infants (as part of the UK childhood immunisation schedule).
- Healthcare workers.
- Those with multiple sexual partners.
- People with chronic liver disease.
Other precautionary measures include:
- Using condoms for safe sex.
- Not sharing needles or personal items like razors.
- Maintaining sterile equipment for tattooing and piercing.
Conclusion
Hepatitis B is a preventable and treatable disease with appropriate attention. Early detection, specialist support, and vaccination are crucial for liver health.
If you are at risk of Hepatitis B or require testing, Chase Lodge Hospital has a team of experts ready to assist. To start on the path to improved health, schedule an appointment right now.
For further information, consult trusted resources such as the NHS Hepatitis B page.
Chase Lodge Hospital – Your Partner in Liver Treatment.
