HEPATITIS B

Hepatitis B is the inflammation of the liver caused by the Hepatitis B virus.

Worldwide, 884 000 people die each year from Hepatitis B and related diseases. However, with early detection and appropriate medical care, people living with Hepatitis B can still enjoy a long and healthy life. 

Hep B is 100 times more infectious than the HIV/AIDS virus.

Hep B is the #1 cause of liver cancer worldwide.

Hep B is preventable and treatable.

 

The Hep B Panel of Tests

Only one sample of blood is needed for a Hepatitis B blood test, but the full “Hepatitis B Panel” of three parts is needed to fully understand whether a person is infected or not.

 

So Many Reasons to Vaccinate

Are you or someone you know at risk of Hepatitis B? You might be more at risk than you think.
And since Hepatitis B is vaccine preventable, it makes sense to get tested and vaccinated.

Everyone is at risk of Hep B.
The Hep B vaccine is safe.
The Hep B vaccine is effective.
The vaccine is a lifetime protection against Hep B.
It protects against Hep D, the most severe form of viral hepatitis.
It is the first anti-cancer vaccine, since Hep B is the leading cause of liver cancer.

To be certain that you are protected against Hep B, ask for a simple blood test to check the amount of antibodies in your body. This will confirm whether the vaccination was successful.

Hep B Treatment

Acute Hep B

A person may need hospitalisation to manage symptoms.

Although rare, he can go into sudden liver failure and require immediate, urgent medical attention.

Chronic Hep B

There are now effective treatments for controlling Hepatitis B infection. Your doctor may recommend Interferon injections or an oral tablet to take. Each has advantages and disadvantages that you should speak to your doctor about.

A Lifelong Commitment

In most people, the treatment does not cure Hep B infection, but only suppresses the replication of the virus. Therefore, most people who start Hep B treatment must continue it for life.

And because Hep B has no symptoms until your liver is badly damaged, you will need lifelong repeat blood tests every six to 12 months to check:

If your liver has active inflammation
If you need treatment for Hep B
How well you are responding to treatment.
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