What is Hepatitis Treatment?
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. It can be caused by viral infections, alcohol, certain medicines, toxins and immune disorders. The most common causes are the hepatitis A, B and C viruses, and treatment depends on which virus or other cause is involved.
Some types of hepatitis settle with rest and supportive care, while others, such as chronic hepatitis B and C, need long-term treatment and monitoring to help protect the liver. Your doctor will explain the type of hepatitis you have and recommend a plan suited to you.
Why the Liver Matters?
The liver is the body’s largest internal organ. It works with the pancreas and intestines to digest, absorb and process food. It produces bile, which is used to digest fats, and it cleans the blood by filtering out substances such as drugs and alcohol.
When the liver is inflamed over a long period, it can become scarred, a condition called cirrhosis, which prevents the liver from working properly. In serious cases, this can lead to liver failure, in which liver function is impaired. Liver failure can be acute, where liver function is lost over a short period, or chronic, where it develops slowly over months or even years before noticeable symptoms appear. Liver failure is a life-threatening condition.
Hepatitis A, B, and C at a Glance
- Hepatitis A: Spreads through contaminated food and water, and close personal contact (faecal-oral transmission).
- Hepatitis B: Spreads through contact with infected blood or body fluids, including from mother to baby at birth.
- Hepatitis C: Spreads throughontact with infected blood, for example through shared needles.
How is Hepatitis A treated?
There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A but there are treatment measures that help improve your condition:
- Avoid drinking alcohol
- Get plenty of rest
- Increase your fluid intake
- Practise good personal hygiene to prevent faecal-oral transmission to other individuals
- Take medicines prescribed by your doctor to relieve your symptoms, and see your doctor if your symptoms worsen
How is Hepatitis B treated?
Hepatitis B can be acute or chronic
- Acute hepatitis B: This usually settles without specific treatment. Supportive care is the mainstay, including rest, fluids, good nutrition and avoiding alcohol.
- Chronic hepatitis B: Treatment depends on your symptoms and the stage of your disease, and includes:
- Antiviral medicines to stop the virus from replicating and to protect the liver
- Long-term monitoring of liver function and viral activity, usually with regular blood tests and, where advised, liver imaging
How is Hepatitis C treated?
Treatment of hepatitis C aims to clear the virus from the body, and to prevent liver damage and its complications. It includes:
- Antiviral medicines to stop the virus from replicating, usually taken for a set period, with blood tests to check how you are responding
- Avoiding alcohol, as it can increase liver damage
- Regular screening for liver cancer for people with hepatitis C, especially those who have liver cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)
Living with Chronic Hepatitis
- Attend regular check-ups: Blood tests and scans help your doctor track your liver health and adjust treatment.
- Avoid alcohol: Alcohol can increase liver damage.
- Check before taking other medicines: Ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking medicines, herbal remedies or supplements, as some can affect the liver.
- Eat a balanced diet: Good nutrition supports your overall health.
- Protect others: Do not share items that may carry blood, such as razors or toothbrushes. Speak to your doctor about screening and vaccination for the people you live with.
Preventing Hepatitis
- Vaccination: Vaccines are available to help protect against hepatitis A and hepatitis B. There is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C. Speak to your doctor about whether vaccination is suitable for you.
- Good hygiene: Wash your hands with soap and water after using the toilet and before preparing or eating food.
- Safe food and water: Eat food that is properly cooked and drink safe water, especially when travelling.
- Avoid sharing needles: Never share needles or other equipment used for injecting.
