la prévention
- Get vaccination against Hepatitis B. Il existe un vaccin contre l'hépatite B qui nécessite généralement trois doses sur une période de six mois. Il existe également un vaccin qui offre une protection combinée contre l'hépatite A et l'hépatite B.
- Practice safe injections. Never share or reuse needles. Make sure all equipment is properly sterilized, even in healthcare or personal care settings.
- Practice safe intimate connections. Use barrier methods (like condoms) to reduce the risk of spreading or getting hepatitis B through sexual contact.
- Maintain good hygiene. Wash your hands often and avoid sharing personal items like razors, toothbrushes, or nail clippers.
- Get screened. Regular testing helps detect hepatitis B early so it can be treated and the risk of transmission can be reduced.
How to protect your unborn baby from hepatitis B
If you’re pregnant, it’s important to get tested for hepatitis B at your first prenatal visit. If the virus is detected, your baby can be protected with a vaccine and an injectable medication (HBIG) within 12 hours of birth, followed by completing the full vaccine series in their first 6 months.
diagnostic
A simple blood test can diagnose hepatitis B. It can reveal whether you currently have the virus, had it in the past and cleared it, or have been vaccinated and are protected. Your doctor may also check how your liver is working with blood tests, and may order an ultrasound or liver scan to look for signs of inflammation or scarring.
traitement
Acute hepatitis B
If you have acute hepatitis B, your body will likely fight off the virus on its own. What to do:
- Get plenty of rest
- Eat well and stay hydrated
- Avoid alcohol
- Let your immune system do the work
Most people recover fully and develop lifelong protection against hepatitis B.
Chronic hepatitis B
Chronic hepatitis B can be managed with antiviral medications that reduce the amount of virus in the body. While these treatments help control the infection, they do not cure it.
Antiviral medications can:
- Lessen the virus in your body
- Protect your liver
- Reduce the risk of liver cancer and cirrhosis
- Give you peace of mind
Common treatments in Canada:
- Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)
- Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)
- Entecavir
