Living with chronic hepatitis B

Chronic hepatitis b infection means that you have had the hepatitis b virus in your blood for over six months. This puts you at risk of some serious liver problems, including liver cancer. You can avoid these problems with proper treatment and by adopting good habits. Click here to read about hepatitis A

Hepatitis b infection on its own causes damage to your liver. However, some lifestyle habits may increase the damage to your liver if you already have a chronic hepatitis b infection. You can do the following to protect your liver from failing:

• Do not miss your clinic appointments. Your healthcare provider may refer you to see a liver specialist after your diagnosis. The specialist may place you on medicines to reduce the damage to your liver or monitor the progression of your infection with blood tests if you do not require treatment. You must keep to these appointments and medicines to reduce the progression of your infection.
• Avoid alcohol and smoking. Alcohol and smoking can cause damage to your liver. Therefore, taking these substances with chronic hepatitis b infection can increase the rate at which your liver gets damaged. If you need help to quit any of these habits, your healthcare provider can render some help through talk therapy or refer you to see a psychologist.
• Eat a healthy diet. Eating too many fatty meals or meals high in sugar are not good for your liver. Therefore, you can switch these snacks or foods to healthier options, such as fruits like oranges, grapes or lemons or vegetables like ugwu and cabbage.
• Do not abuse drugs. Your liver processes the medicines you take, and some medicines may have side effects on your liver. Therefore, you must check with your healthcare provider before taking unprescribed medication, supplements or herbs.
• Good hygiene and sanitation will prevent you from other infections, including hepatitis A, which can also damage your liver.

Your loved ones can contract hepatitis B infection through exposure to infected blood and body fluids or from mother to child during childbirth. You cannot transmit it by holding hands, touching or hugging. If you have chronic hepatitis B infection, you are responsible for protecting your loved ones from being infected. Here are some tips to help you:

• Encourage your loved ones to get tested and vaccinated for hepatitis B. By getting tested, treatment can start early if they already have the infection. If not, they can get vaccinated. This increases their chances of recovery or not contracting the disease at all.
• Do not share sharp objects with them. You should altogether avoid sharing things like blades, nail cutters, clippers, needles or pins that might transmit the virus to your loved ones.
• Do not have unprotected sex. Hepatitis B can also be transmitted through unprotected sex. Therefore, protect your partner by using latex condoms.

Chronic hepatitis B infection can be scary because of the complications that come with the disease. However, if you keep your appointments, eat a healthy diet and quit drinking alcohol, you can live an active life, free of complications for longer. Get as much help as you need to break unhealthy habits and adopt healthy ones that keep your liver healthy. The journey may be a long one. Seek help from your loved ones whenever you feel overwhelmed.