Acute Hepatitis B Infection
There is no specific medication to help you get rid of the virus during an acute infection. But there are some things you can do to help keep yourself and your liver healthy.
- Make sure you follow-up with your doctor every few months and keep all appointments. Ask for copies of all test results.
- Get plenty of rest and talk to your doctor about treating any symptoms that you are having.
- Have household family members and sexual partners tested and vaccinated. Until you know that your family members are protected: avoid unprotected sex, sharing razors, needles, nail clippers, tooth brushes or earrings, make sure you keep all cuts covered, and clean all blood spills with bleach and water.
- Avoid alcohol, smoking and illegal drug use.
- Talk to your doctor before taking any medication, including over the counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, because some of these can be harmful to your liver.
Protected — A simple blood test can tell whether a person is protected against hepatitis B. This blood test is called the "hepatitis B surface antibody" test, or "HBsAb." This test should be positive ("+" or "reactive" or ">10") if a person is protected against hepatitis B, and can be ordered one month after the third (final) dose of the hepatitis B vaccine. (back to text)
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