Specific treatment for chronic hepatitis will be determined by your physicians based on:
- your overall health and medical history
- extent of the disease
- your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- expectations for the course of the disease
- your opinion or preference
Treatment of chronic hepatitis depends on the underlying cause of the disease. The goal of treatment is to stop damage to the liver and alleviate symptoms.
Treatment may include one/more of the following:
Antiviral Agent - When caused by hepatitis B or C, inflammation of the liver may be stopped with the antiviral agent interferon-alpha.
Corticosteroids - Corticosteroids may be used to treat chronic liver disease caused by an autoimmune disorder. Inflammation is suppressed, but scarring of the liver may continue.
Discontinuation of certain drugs - When chronic hepatitis is caused by certain drugs, discontinuing those drugs usually clears up any symptoms.
Preventing the spread of viral hepatitis:
Proper hygiene is the key to preventing the spread of many diseases, including hepatitis. Other preventive measures include:
- vaccinations - A hepatitis B vaccine is routinely given to toddlers as part of their immunization schedule. A hepatitis A vaccine is available for people at risk for contracting the disease while traveling. (There are no vaccines for hepatitis C, D, or E at this time.)
- blood transfusion - Blood transfusions are routinely screened for Hepatitis B and C to reduce the risk of infection.
- antibody preparation - If a person has been exposed to hepatitis, an antibody preparation can be administered to help protect them from contracting the disease.treatment
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