Frequently Asked Questions about Hepatitis B
Below are links to some of our most commonly asked questions.
About the Virus
Medical Management and Treatment
- What blood tests are important to diagnose and evaluate my hepatitis B infection?
- Is there a cure for hepatitis B?
- What treatments (medicines) are available for chronic hepatitis B?
- If the currently approved hepatitis B drugs do not provide a cure, then how are they helping?
- Does everyone with chronic hepatitis B need to take medicine?
- Will herbals, natural "remedies," Ayurveda or Traditional Chinese Medicine, supplements or vitamins and minerals control hepatitis B?
- I keep hearing about a “functional cure” for chronic hepatitis B, what does this mean?
- What can I do if I live in the U.S. and the insurance co-pay for my hepatitis B drugs costs too much for me to buy them?
Living with Hepatitis B
- Is there any special diet for people living with chronic hepatitis B infection?
- If I don't need to take medicine for my hepatitis B at this time, what must I do to support my liver?
- What blood tests are important to diagnose and evaluate my hepatitis B infection?
- I am diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B, can I get married and have children?
- Can I donate blood if I have hepatitis B?
- If I have chronic hepatitis B infection, can I hug my children, partner or friend?
- I’m in love, when and how do I tell my (prospective) partner that I have hepatitis B?
- If hepatitis B is sexually transmitted, how come my partner isn’t infected?
- If chronic hepatitis B is a silent disease, why do I have symptoms?
- Sometimes I feel sad and depressed because of my hepatitis B status, what should I do?
Prevention / Vaccination
- I am currently pregnant, and I have hepatitis B. What should I do to protect my baby?
- Can a hepatitis B infection be prevented? How can I protect my loved ones?
- Is the hepatitis B vaccine safe?
- Is the hepatitis B vaccine safe during pregnancy?
- Can I catch hepatitis B from the vaccine?
- If I started the vaccine series but didn't complete my 2nd or 3rd dose on schedule, do I have to start over?
- I received my vaccine years ago--am I still protected?
- Should I get the hepatitis B vaccine if I have a chronic HBV infection or have recovered from a past infection?
- Where can I get vaccinated against hepatitis B in the USA?
Liver Cancer
- What is the likelihood that someone infected with hepatitis B will develop liver cancer?
- I’m living with hepatitis B, what should I do to reduce my risk of developing liver cancer?