Newly Diagnosed with Hepatitis B
If you or someone you love have recently been diagnosed with hepatitis B, you are not alone. In fact, nearly 1 in 3 people worldwide will be infected with the hepatitis B virus in their life time.
Receiving a diagnosis of hepatitis B can be confusing or overwhelming, and you may have questions or concerns. The Hepatitis B Foundation is here to help.
First Steps
1. Understand your diagnosis. Do you have an acute or chronic infection? When someone is first infected with hepatitis B, it is considered an acute infection. Most healthy adults who are acutely infected are able to get rid of the virus on their own. If you continue to test positive for hepatitis B after 6 months, it is considered a chronic infection. Knowing whether your hepatitis B is acute or chronic will help you and your doctor determine your next steps. If you are unsure of what your blood test results mean, you may find Understanding Your Blood Tests helpful.
2. Prevent the Spread to Others. Hepatitis B can be transmitted to others through blood and bodily fluids, but there is a safe and effective vaccine that can protect your loved ones from hepatitis B. You should also be aware of how to protect your loved ones to avoid passing the infection to family and household members and sexual partners.
3. Find a Physician. If you have been diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B, it is important to find a doctor that has expertise in treating liver disease. We maintain a searchable physician directory database to help you find a liver specialist near you.
4. Educate Yourself. Get the facts about hepatitis B, including what it is, who gets it, and possible symptoms, starting with What is Hepatitis B.
How the Hepatitis B Foundation Can Help
1. Our Help lines are available to answer questions you may have about hepatitis B. Please note that our Help Lines are NOT a substitute for medical care.
2. Our Physician Directory can help you find a liver specialist near you.
3. Our Drug Watch lists approved medicines and promising new treatments for hepatitis B.
4. Our list of Clinical Trials for hepatitis B provides you an opportunity to volunteer to test promising new treatments.
5. Sign up for our free e-newsletter to get our monthly update on hepatitis B advocacy, research, and more.