What should you know about hepatitis B infection treatment?

A clinician may use blood tests to assess hepatitis B activity, liver inflammation, and liver function. Imaging or other tests can help look for scarring or a liver growth when clinically appropriate. Short-term infection may be managed with supportive care while the immune system responds. Chronic infection may need antiviral medicine to suppress the virus and reduce ongoing liver injury. Treatment does not replace follow-up: results can change over time, and some people need repeated liver checks even when they feel well.

Arrange a medical assessment if testing has shown hepatitis B or if exposure is possible. Bring previous blood results, a list of medicines and supplements, and information about alcohol use. Do not start, stop, or share antiviral medicine without clinical advice. Ask about protecting household and sexual contacts through testing and [Hepatitis B Vaccination](/treatments/preventive-care-and-vaccination/hepatitis-b-vaccination/). Ongoing review helps identify liver scarring and conditions such as [Liver Cancer](/conditions/liver-cancer/) early.

Seek urgent medical help for confusion, unusual sleepiness, vomiting blood, black stools, severe belly swelling, or yellowing that is rapidly worsening. Contact a clinician promptly for persistent vomiting, marked weakness, dark urine with pale stools, or new swelling of the legs. These symptoms can signal significant liver dysfunction or another urgent problem and need assessment rather than home treatment.

Ask whether the infection is acute or chronic, what your liver tests show, whether antiviral treatment is indicated, how often monitoring is needed, and how family or household contacts can be tested and vaccinated.