Why get regular check-ups for chronic hepatitis B- if there are no symptoms?
Whilst hepatitis B currently does not have an absolute cure there is much research being done to hopefully have a cure soon. Meanwhile any person living with chronic hepatitis B which is defined as blood test showing the following:
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HbsAg) – positive or detected
All people living with chronic hepatitis B need regular monitoring to ensure they do not develop complications such as liver damage (fibrosis), cirrhosis or liver cancer. Unfortunately, these can develop without a person feeling unwell and if left unchecked can be very difficult, and sometimes unable, to be treated.
Chronic hepatitis B like other chronic conditions can be managed well through:
• Liver function tests: a blood test to check the function of the liver – if tests show changes then treatment (including medications for some people) can help the liver to return to its normal functions. These tests are recommended every 6 months for most people living with chronic hepatitis B.
• Viral load tests (or DNA tests): a blood test to check for how much virus is in the blood. This test should be done every 12 months for any person not already on treatment.
• Assessment of fibrosis/cirrhosis – this can be done with a Fibroscan (available free from the Love Health Program at ECCQ through funding from Queensland Health for any person born overseas living with chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C). This is recommended every 12 months for any person not already on treatment. If a Fibroscan is not available where the person lives then the doctor/nurse practitioner providing care may refer the person for a special type of ultrasound called shear wave elastography or may use another modality such as APRI (an equation using blood test results) to check for fibrosis.
• Abdominal Ultrasound – these check for any cancers and other changes in the liver such as increased size (may indicate early damage through inflammation of the liver – the person doing the test will also check the spleen as changes can indicate early changes in the blood flow caused by changes in the liver). This test is recommended every 6 months as part of Liver Cancer Surveillance for people living with chronic hepatitis B:
• African men and women aged over 20 years
• Asian, Maori and Pacific Islander men aged over 40 years and women over 50 years
• Anyone with liver cirrhosis
• Anyone with a family history of liver cancer, or has had liver cancer and are no longer HBsAg positive
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over 50 years
• Anyone with a co-infection of hepatitis D
• People from other multicultural communities who may be at risk.
Other ways to protect your liver health include a healthy varied diet – avoiding processed, fried, salty foods and sugary foods and drinks: regular exercise -recommendations include 30 minutes of brisk walking a day; reducing or avoiding alcohol and not smoking/vaping.
For more information, please visit our webpage at www.eccq.com.au/bbv or call one of our team members who can assist you in your preferred language.
Remember no cure- does not mean that you cannot liver a full and healthy life living with chronic hepatitis B.
