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Treatment options
Treatment of viral hepatitis depends on the stage of the disease and the type of hepatitis we have.
Treatment for hepatitis A is usually very mild and does not require any aggressive measures. Patients who are constantly vomiting may be hospitalized, but it usually heals after one or two months. The most important recommendation is to stay hydrated and eat healthily.
Treatment for hepatitis B and C is usually more complicated. This type of virus will not go away or heal without medications, so that you might need antiviral drugs such as interferon, adefovir, tenofovir, and others of the same family. There are combinations of medicines depending on the type of hepatitis you have and its stage.
There’s a recent interest in a group of medications known as direct-acting antiviral drugs. Treatment with these agents is usually simpler and does not have many side effects. They can cure hepatitis C infections in up to 12 weeks.
A group that requires special consideration is pregnant women. They are automatically tested for hepatitis B when a doctor diagnoses their pregnancy. If they have an infection, the baby will be protected from the virus through immune globulin shots and a vaccine. You may not be a candidate for natural delivery because you’re likely to contract the disease to your newborn baby.
Regardless of your type of hepatitis, the disease stage, and the treatment you’re going through, it is vital to listen to your doctor and avoid drinking alcoholic beverages. They are difficult to process by your liver and create additional stress your liver may not be prepared to withstand.
