Treatment of chronic hepatitis B

A few months ago, the guidelines for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B were adjusted. Therapy is no longer only recommended when liver values ​​are increased twice, but for any elevated GPT.

A few months ago, the guidelines for treating chronic hepatitis B were adjusted. Treatment is no longer only recommended when liver values ​​are twice as high, but also when GPT is elevated. Patients who do not have elevated liver values ​​but have other symptoms due to chronic hepatitis B should also be treated.

The aim of treatment for chronic hepatitis B is to reduce mortality. Recent studies have shown that reducing the viral load (HBV DNA) below the detection limit can prevent the development of liver cancer.

The aim of therapy is therefore now to reduce the viral load below the detection limit. Another long-term goal is the disappearance of the Hbs antigen and the appearance of anti-Hbs antibodies. The patient then produces antibodies against the virus.
 
Interferon therapy over 6 to 12 months should definitely be carried out under favorable conditions. This is the case when liver values ​​are at least twice as high (ideally even at least five times as high as transaminases), the viral load should be below 108 IU/ml. Genotype A in particular is easy to treat. Dr. Reinhold Lunow, medical director of the practice clinic in Bornheim, recommends that the treatment of chronic hepatitis should always be carried out in cooperation with hepatitis specialists.