Hepatitis B can be defined as the infection of the liver with hepatitis B virus.
Hepatitis B virus can infect the liver both in childhood and adulthood. There are 2 possibilities when catching hepatitis B infection; firstly, the patient can recover and gain immunity, and secondly, the patient may not recover and become chronic.
Hepatitis B carrier is a term used among the people and is mistakenly used to describe a non-hazardous condition. However, it is not true. Hepatitis B carrier is a situation that tells that the patient is infected with Hepatitis B, its contagiousness continues, the liver is perhaps slightly affected by this condition, but the laboratory values are not too high for the treatment to begin.
Both acute hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis B. Close monitoring of hepatitis B patients is required. .
The importance of hepatitis B is due to the possibility of causing cirrhosis, which we call liver failure, and liver tumor. can lead to results.
When hepatitis B becomes chronic, it does not cause any significant complaints until cirrhosis develops. This may lead to the illusion that the patient is completely fine. However, when cirrhosis develops, obvious complaints develop, but there is little to be done in this period.
When cirrhosis develops due to hepatitis B;
Fluid accumulation in the abdomen
Varicose veins in the esophagus
Liver coma
Conditions such as jaundice and deterioration of liver tests develop.
This also applies to Hepatitis C.
How should follow-up of hepatitis B patients be?
To have analysis and ultrasound complaints should not be expected
blood analysis should be performed every 6 months (general biochemistry, hemogram, HBsAg test, HBV-DNA test, AFP …)
Those with cirrhosis should have an ultrasound every 6 months, those without cirrhosis once a year
br /> Periods of analysis and ultrasound may vary depending on the clinical situation, depending on the doctor's decision.
When should hepatitis B treatment be considered?
The physician can start hepatitis B treatment together with liver tests, clinical condition and examination when necessary.
> Turkey In the treatment of hepatitis B in Turkey;
Drugs such as tenofovir (market name viread, evasif, tenoviral…)
Entecavir (market name baraclude, quantavair, zenticavir…)
are available in the market.
Treatment It starts with a doctor's decision and a drug report and generally lasts for a long time
Patients taking drugs should have an examination, analysis and ultrasound at 6 month-1 year intervals every 6 months.
The purpose of hepatitis B treatment is to prevent the development of cirrhosis and liver tumor. . Another aim is to save time for the patient until a treatment that will completely eradicate hepatitis B is available.
HEPATITIS C
Hepatitis C can be defined as the infection of the liver with the hepatitis C virus.
Hepatitis B in adults
Hepatitis C can cause cirrhosis silently in the long term and lead to vital consequences. Therefore, it requires close gastroenterology follow-up. Hepatitis C may not cause significant complaints until cirrhosis occurs.
How should hepatitis C patients be followed-up?
Complaints should not be waited for analysis and ultrasound (tumor or cirrhosis does not present at an early stage!)
Blood test every 6 months (general biochemistry, hemogram, HCV-RNA test, AFP … etc.) .
Follow-up should be continued after treatment and recovery. Because the removal of hepatitis C does not eliminate the risk of liver tumor.
The main purpose in the treatment and follow-up of hepatitis C is to prevent the development of cirrhosis and liver tumor.
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