Living with hepatitis B Self-management
Hepatitis Queensland
Reviewed: 10 October 2013, Valid to: October 2014
Stay in regular contact with your doctor or liver specialist. Avoid drinking alcohol, or drink less. Alcohol can increase your chances of developing cirrhosis (liver scarring) or liver cancer. Eat a balanced healthy diet. Get regular exercise. Reduce your stress and get support. Try to maintain a healthy body weight. Rest when you need to.
Will hepatitis B make me sick? It is important to remember that many people with hepatitis B don’t experience any symptoms. However, as your immune system reacts to the virus you may feel sick and experience symptoms such as nausea, tiredness, fever, dark urine, joint or stomach pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) or loss of appetite.
If I feel well, do I still have to see my doctor or specialist? Regular management and monitoring is an important part of looking after yourself if you have hepatitis B. Hepatitis B can change over time and you could be at risk of developing cirrhosis or liver cancer. This makes it important that you see your doctor or liver specialist regularly, usually every six months. The earlier that changes are detected, the more options that may be available to you. Keep a diary of your appointments and remember to tell your doctor and liver clinic if you change your phone number or postal address.
Yes, if you have hepatitis B you can transmit the virus to others. This can happen from mother to child, through direct blood to blood contact (such as sharing tattooing, piercing or injecting equipment), or from unprotected sex. Social contact like shaking hands, eating together and sharing bathrooms does not spread hepatitis B. Talk to your partner and family about getting vaccinated for hepatitis B as it will protect them from getting the virus (see factsheet ‘Hepatitis B: the facts’ for more information).
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How do I look after myself if I have Can I transmit hepatitis B to other hepatitis B? people?
Can I die from hepatitis B? Approximately 1 in 41 people will die from liver cancer as a result of having chronic hepatitis B. Regular management, monitoring and treatment (antiviral therapy) can help prevent hepatitis B related liver cancer (see factsheets ‘Hepatitis B: monitoring’ and ‘Hepatitis B: treatment (antiviral therapy)’ for more information).
Will my diet affect my liver? If you have hepatitis B it is really important to eat well. Your liver health will improve if you have a good range of fruit and vegetables, reduce foods with fats and sugars, and drink plenty of water. This may also help with maintaining a healthy body weight. Being overweight (particularly if you have fat around the liver) can also irritate the liver in a similar way to alcohol (see factsheet ‘What is a healthy diet for people with hepatitis’). 1
Adamson E, et al. Perceptions of Liver Cancer and Hepatitis B in the Victorian Chinese Community, Summary Report 2013. Cancer Council Victoria; 2013.
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For more information contact Hepatitis Queensland
www.hepqld.asn.au or call the infoline 1800 648 491
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