Approach to Therapy

Hepatitis B is a virus that attacks the liver to cause acute or chronic hepatitis. There are effective vaccines to prevent the initial hepatitis B infection and all individuals should discuss vaccination with their healthcare provider. Most adults who become infected with the hepatitis B virus will clear the infection. However, some people will continue to be chronically infected. Over many years, chronic hepatitis B can lead to cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver failure, and liver cancer. There are several effective treatments for chronic hepatitis B. Numerous experimental drugs are also under investigation.