Living with hepatitis B Self-management
Hepatitis Queensland
Reviewed: 10 October 2013, Valid to: October 2014
Stay in regular contact with your doctor or liver specialist. Avoid drinking alcohol, or drink less. Alcohol can increase your chances of developing cirrhosis (liver scarring) or liver cancer. Eat a balanced healthy diet. Get regular exercise. Reduce your stress and get support. Try to maintain a healthy body weight. Rest when you need to.
Will hepatitis B make me sick? It is important to remember that many people with hepatitis B don’t experience any symptoms. However, as your immune system reacts to the virus you may feel sick and experience symptoms such as nausea, tiredness, fever, dark urine, joint or stomach pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) or loss of appetite.
If I feel well, do I still have to see my doctor or specialist? Regular management and monitoring is an important part of looking after yourself if you have hepatitis B. Hepatitis B can change over time and you could be at risk of developing cirrhosis or liver cancer. This makes it important that you see your doctor or liver specialist regularly, usually every six months. The earlier that changes are detected, the more options that may be available to you. Keep a diary of your appointments and remember to tell your doctor and liver clinic if you change your phone number or postal address.
Yes, if you have hepatitis B you can transmit the virus to others. This can happen from mother to child, through direct blood to blood contact (such as sharing tattooing, piercing or injecting equipment), or from unprotected sex. Social contact like shaking hands, eating together and sharing bathrooms does not spread hepatitis B. Talk to your partner and family about getting vaccinated for hepatitis B as it will protect them from getting the virus (see factsheet ‘Hepatitis B: the facts’ for more information).
Images © istockphoto.com. Models used for illustrative purposes only.
How do I look after myself if I have Can I transmit hepatitis B to other hepatitis B? people?
Can I die from hepatitis B? Approximately 1 in 41 people will die from liver cancer as a result of having chronic hepatitis B. Regular management, monitoring and treatment (antiviral therapy) can help prevent hepatitis B related liver cancer (see factsheets ‘Hepatitis B: monitoring’ and ‘Hepatitis B: treatment (antiviral therapy)’ for more information).
Will my diet affect my liver? If you have hepatitis B it is really important to eat well. Your liver health will improve if you have a good range of fruit and vegetables, reduce foods with fats and sugars, and drink plenty of water. This may also help with maintaining a healthy body weight. Being overweight (particularly if you have fat around the liver) can also irritate the liver in a similar way to alcohol (see factsheet ‘What is a healthy diet for people with hepatitis’). 1
Adamson E, et al. Perceptions of Liver Cancer and Hepatitis B in the Victorian Chinese Community, Summary Report 2013. Cancer Council Victoria; 2013.
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For more information contact Hepatitis Queensland
www.hepqld.asn.au or call the infoline 1800 648 491
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Living with hepatitis B Self-management
Hepatitis Queensland
Reviewed: 10 October 2013, Valid to: October 2014
Having hepatitis B meant that my whole family has actually been eating and living healthier, that’s definitely a good thing…’ Can I use complementary therapies if I have hepatitis B? Some people find that alternative or complementary therapies, like massage, acupuncture, and taking herbs such as milk thistle, can improve the quality of their life and reduce symptoms. However, there are many herbs that are potentially dangerous to the liver and may interact with prescription medications. Make sure you see a natural therapist who has experience in treating hepatitis and talk with your doctor or liver specialist about complementary therapies before you start any (see factsheet ‘Complementary therapies and hepatitis’).
Can I drink alcohol or smoke? If you have hepatitis B, one of the best things you can do for your health is to stop drinking alcohol or reduce the amount you drink. If you have hepatitis B it is recommended that you only have one standard drink per day, with at least three alcohol free days per week. If you have cirrhosis (liver scarring) or liver cancer, you are advised not to drink any alcohol at all. Smoking also affects the liver and can increase the amount of scarring and damage happening in your liver (see factsheet ‘Alcohol and viral hepatitis’ for more information).
There are currently two types of treatment available. One is pegylated interferon (injection), which aims to boost your immune system to clear the hepatitis B virus from your body. The other type of treatment is antiviral medication (tablets), which aims to reduce the amount of virus in your blood so it is less likely to cause liver damage. Treatment may not be appropriate for everyone, and may only be needed in certain phases (stages) of hepatitis B (see factsheets ‘Hepatitis B: phases’ and ‘Hepatitis B: treatment (antiviral therapy)’ for more information).
What if I am pregnant? If you are pregnant and have hepatitis B it is really important that your doctor and birthing team know. Treatment (antiviral therapy) can be given in the last trimester to reduce the amount of virus you have in your blood. Your baby must be given the hepatitis B immunoglobulin injection and the first hepatitis B vaccine within the first 12 hours of birth. If this happens there is a good chance that your baby will not get hepatitis B. The choice of delivery is up to you as there is no greater risk with either caesarean or vaginal birth. Mothers with hepatitis B are encouraged to breastfeed.2
Interested in finding out more? Factsheets Hepatitis B: the facts Hepatitis B: treatment (antiviral therapy) Hepatitis B: monitoring Printed resources Hepatitis B: What you need to know (Hepatitis Australia)
Is there a treatment for hepatitis B? Yes, there is treatment (antiviral therapy) available for people who have chronic hepatitis B. Some people with chronic (long term) hepatitis B may benefit from having hepatitis B treatment.
Reviewed by Jacqui Richmond, September 2013 Hepatology Nurse Consultant (Hepatitis B)
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Chronic Hepatitis B Antenatal Management Guidelines. SSWAHS Liver and Gastroenterology Department. NSW Health
7 The ABC of Hepatitis Training Package is an initative of Hepatitis Queensland through funding provided by Queensland Health
For more information contact Hepatitis Queensland
www.hepqld.asn.au or call the infoline 1800 648 491
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