Treatment
Treatment of viral hepatitis differs, depending on whether the infection is acute or chronic. In many cases, the immune system can fight the virus and clear the disease on its own.
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How your body fights the virus:
The immune system fights off infection (including viral infection) in several ways. One of the body's main defenses is to produce antibodies, which attack just that particular virus that is present in the body:
Acute Hepatitis
To treat acute hepatitis, doctors usually recommend getting adequate sleep, fluids, and nutrition to help the body fight the virus on its own. The doctor may also recommend supportive care to relieve symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Supportive care is treatment to relieve symptoms, reduce side-effects, and improve quality of life. The patient must also avoid alcohol consumption and medications such as acetaminophen that can damage the liver. Occasionally, patients with severe symptoms may need to be hospitalized in order to receive intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration. Acute hepatitis B clears up on its own in approximately 90% of adult immunocompetent patients. Acute hepatitis C clears up on its own in approximately 25% of people, but most will develop a chronic infection.
Chronic Hepatitis
To treat chronic hepatitis B and C, doctors often recommend antiviral medications to eradicate the virus. These typically include direct acting antiviral therapies. These medications can also help prevent or slow down liver damage. Patients with chronic viral hepatitis need to be monitored regularly for potential liver damage, and should avoid alcohol, cigarettes, medications, and supplements that can damage the liver. Talk to a doctor, as treatment of chronic hepatitis depends on many factors. The goal of antiviral therapy for a chronic hepatitis B infection is viral suppression as the virus cannot be eradicated. However, for a chronic hepatitis C infection, there are now all oral direct acting antiviral therapies and combinations available with high cure rates (>90%) with very few side effects.
