Acute to Clear or Chronic

[Nikolah]

Hi there from the states. Does anyone know why some people from acute never recover and go on to becoming chronic? I’m a bit worried as I’m dealing with a lot of fear at the moment. Was recently exposed and tested positive for HB

[ThreeSmiles]

Hi Nikolah

What is HB please? Can’t find anything relevant on Google - or do you mean HE? Sorry if I am a bit thick!

[Jans1953 in reply to ThreeSmiles]

I would think the poster probably means HepB

[ThreeSmiles in reply to Jans1953]

Aha OK - thanks Jans

[AyrshireK]

Hi Nikolah, the following page might help you clear up the Acute v Chronic Hep B states. hepb.org/what-is-hepatitis-...

All the best,

Katie

[Nikolah in reply to AyrshireK]

Hi I read adults can clear the virus if they get it at a adult age. Why are some people not able to clear the acute hepatitis b and it becomes chronic? That is my question

[AyrshireK in reply to Nikolah]

That page says about 90% of adults who develop the condition can clear it but in around 10% their own immune system doesn't manage to fight it off and if it lasts longer than 6 months it is deemed chronic Hep B and remains in the blood and liver. It's sadly the 'luck of the draw' I guess in that the immune system can't clear it or perhaps their are different strains of Hep B which are more aggressive & harder to clear.

The page does go on to say :- "Learning that you have a chronic hepatitis B infection can be very upsetting. Because most people do not have symptoms and can be diagnosed decades after their initial exposure to the hepatitis B virus, it can be a shock and a surprise to be diagnosed with a chronic hepatitis B infection. The good news is that most people with chronic hepatitis B should expect to live a long and healthy life.

There are effective drug therapies that can control and even stop the hepatitis B virus from further damaging a liver. There are also promising new drugs in the research pipeline that could provide a cure in the very near future. Although the risk of developing a serious liver disease or liver cancer is higher for those living with chronic hepatitis B than those who are not infected, there are still many simple things a person can do to help reduce their risks."

Katie

[Nikolah in reply to AyrshireK]

I was diagnosed with acute and have been feeling depressed crying and have had symptoms. I didn’t know there were different strains of hep b. If it clears how soon does it go away? I’m so scared.

[AyrshireK in reply to Nikolah]

Read the page I posted up, I have no personal experience with Hep B. As you are currently at the acute stage hopefully your immune system does manage to battle it off and you don't go on to have the longer lasting condition - however, even if you do go on to have the condition long term there are now medications that can keep the viral load suppressed. Although it currently isn't curable it can be kept under control.

Best wishes to you, Katie

[chrisw740 in reply to AyrshireK]

Hi Katie, I've not commented on a post directly before outside of contributing to the thread but I do want to say your replies here are equally, rational, supportive and well informed.. Indeed these qualities are so characteristic of all your replies. I do hope I don't sound patronising. Very Best Chris

[AyrshireK in reply to chrisw740]

Nice of you to say, thank you. Just try to make sense of stuff for folks, I know in supporting hubby that the med speak can be difficult to decipher.

Thanks again.

Katie

[Steven_ in reply to Nikolah]

I know it’s hard as I was diagnosed with chronic hep b back in November but if they have caught it acute and they are checking your liver your be in good hands x

[Hidden]

Good Afternoon Nikolah,

I have included a link to the British Liver Trust website regarding Hepatitis B to go alongside the really useful information AyrshireK has given you.

If you have ongoing concerns please discuss it with your health care provider.

britishlivertrust.org.uk/li...

Best Wishes

Trust9