The truth is that hepatitis B can quietly affect the liver even when you feel completely well. Regular check ups are how you and your doctor stay one step ahead.

Key points

• • Chronic hepatitis B can damage the liver without causing any symptoms.
  • Everyone living with hepatitis B should have a liver check up every 6 to 12 months.
  • Not everyone needs medicine, but everyone needs monitoring.
  • If you take antiviral medicine, never stop it without talking to your doctor first.
    
    

What is chronic hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. When it stays in the body for longer than six months, it is called chronic hepatitis B. Many people living with hepatitis B in Australia acquired it at birth or in early childhood, often without knowing.

There is no cure yet, but hepatitis B can be very well managed. With regular monitoring, and treatment when it is needed, most people with hepatitis B live long, healthy lives.

Why do I still need check-ups if I feel well?

Hepatitis B can cause liver scarring, liver failure and liver cancer, and this can happen even if you feel well. Liver damage often has no symptoms until it is advanced, so check ups are the only way to know what is happening. The idea of a healthy carrier who never needs follow up is a myth.

A check up usually includes blood tests for your viral load, which is the amount of virus in your blood, and liver function tests. Some people also have a FibroScan to measure liver scarring. If you have a higher risk of liver cancer, your doctor will recommend a liver ultrasound every six months, so any changes can be found early when they are easier to treat.

Will I need medicine?

Not everyone with hepatitis B needs treatment. Your doctor will decide based on your viral load, your liver tests and whether there is any liver scarring. This can change over time, which is another reason regular check ups matter.

If you do need treatment, it is usually an antiviral tablet taken once a day. These medicines are generally well tolerated. They keep the virus under control and lower the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Treatment is usually long term.

Why shouldn't I stop my antiviral medicine?

Stopping hepatitis B antivirals suddenly can cause the virus to become active again quickly, leading to a flare of liver inflammation. In some people, this can be serious. Always talk to your doctor before stopping or changing your treatment, and try not to let your supply run out.

How can I protect the people around me?

Hepatitis B spreads through blood and sexual fluids. It is not spread by sharing food, hugging or kissing on the cheek. The best protection for the people close to you is vaccination, which is highly effective. Ask your GP about testing and vaccinating the people you live with and your sexual partners. Avoid sharing razors or toothbrushes.

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, tell your doctor. Babies born to mothers with hepatitis B are given the vaccine and an extra injection soon after birth, and some mothers are offered antiviral medicine late in pregnancy to further lower the risk.

How Ace can help

When you take a hepatitis B antiviral, gaps in supply matter. Ace dispenses and delivers your medicine so you do not run out, and our pharmacists can check new medicines against your treatment and answer questions between check ups. Get started with Ace.

References

Hepatitis Australia. Monitoring hepatitis B.

Hepatitis Australia. Living with hepatitis B: the myth of the healthy carrier.

healthdirect. Hepatitis B.

ASHM Health. Management and care of hepatitis B.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute medical advice. Your hepatitis B care should be guided by your GP or liver specialist.