Treatment

There are several types of treatment for all types of hepatitis infections.

Immune globulin, a medication to boost the immune reaction of the body against hepatitis A virus, can be given within 2 weeks of exposure to the virus. This will prevent the development of the actual disease. Once a person has had hepatitis A, he or she cannot get it again. Chronic long-term infection of hepatitis A does not usually occur.

Hepatitis B is treated with alpha interferon and lamivudine medications. These two drugs are licensed for hepatitis B treatment and are effective in up to 40% of patients. Drinking alcohol should be avoided to prevent further liver damage.

Hepatitis C is treated with interferon and ribavirin. These two drugs area also approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection. Interferon may be taken alone, sometimes it is prescribed in combination with ribavirin. It is more often recommended to take the drugs in combination, it can cure the infection in 4 out of 10 people.

In all cases, alcohol and drug use should be avoided. Taking alcohol or any other type of toxic substance will increase liver damage. Remember that you need your liver to stay alive.