What you need to know about hep B | part 1

Home News What you need to know about hep B | part 1

January 12, 2021

This article – part 1 of 8 – was written by Dr. Alice Lee , Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist, Concord Repatriation General Hospital.

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Referred to as the ‘silent killer, hepatitis B lives up to its name. Despite great efforts around the world to increase awareness of this virus, and to improve prevention, testing and treatment, there has sadly been no decline in global mortality rates. Nearly one million people die from hepatitis B, and its complications, every year.

What makes hepatitis B such a difficult and lethal virus?

Hepatitis B is a highly infectious virus, more so than hepatitis C and even HIV. In some parts of the world, the prevalence rates are very high – up to 20%. For Korean people, the prevalence rates have been markedly reduced by nationwide vaccination programs, but those who already have the infection remain at risk.

Even with vaccination, there are instances where, for those at high risk – such as babies born to mothers who have hepatitis B – vaccination may not be enough to prevent infection. Also, in some cases, one course of hepatitis B vaccine might not be adequate and further vaccination courses may be needed. It is safest for people to have a doctor check their blood tests – looking for protective antibody levels – to ensure that they are not in this group.

How do we test for hepatitis B?

Testing for hepatitis B is done by blood tests, but the levels of bloods tests can change over time whether you have treatment or not. Blood tests detect whether a person has:

• the virus (hepatitis B surface antigen),
• had the virus (hepatitis B core antibody) and/or
• protection against infection (hepatitis B surface antibody).

Anyone living with the virus (hepatitis B surface antigen),will need to have further tests to see if they need to have treatment. The results of the tests can change over time, which can lead to misunderstanding about a person’s status.

Further testing is done through more blood tests and scans. It can be very complex and confusing to patients, but they should continue to check in with their doctors as it can save their life. Even if someone does not need treatment now, they may need to have treatment at a later date. Most people who need treatment are asymptomatic and may feel that they are alright and do not need to have checkups. This can be very dangerous because, if someone leaves it until they feel sick, then it may be too late.

How is hepatitis B monitored?

Hepatitis B can cause liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. While most people will live a normal healthy life with hepatitis B and not have any complications, identifying who is at risk, and who is not, is not so easy. Some key risks includes those who have a family history of liver cancer, other conditions that can increase risk of hepatitis B complications – such as other viruses or those who drink excessively – older patients, patients who have severe scarring of the liver(cirrhosis), have high liver enzymes (ALT) and those with high levels of virus (Hepatitis B DNA). All these factors are taken into consideration over time to decide whether treatment is required, or not, at a particular time.

Liver cancer is the most common cause of death from hepatitis B. It is also asymptomatic until very advanced and the best way to check for it is with regular ultrasounds and blood tests. If there are concerns about spots on your liver, a doctor may advise to have additional tests such as CT or MRI scans. All patients with a family history of liver cancer and all with cirrhosis should have checkups at least every six months.

Whether a person with hepatitis B is receiving treatment or not, screening can save their life. Ultrasounds are safe, there is no radiation, and they do not hurt. Anyone can have an ultrasound, as many times as needed. CT scans require radiation and hence should only be done when advised from a doctor. MRI is also available and accessible through a doctor. The benefits of an MRI is that there is no radiation, but it requires contrast (that is, requires the injection of a dye) and so is indicated for some patients only. People should ask their doctor about this if they have any concerns.