Understanding chronic hepatitis B - Bristol-Myers Squibb

Commonly asked questions
after being diagnosed with
chronic hepatitis B (CHB):
If I do not have any symptoms, do I need
to see my doctor
Some people may not feel symptoms of CHB.
By visiting your doctor regularly, your condition can
be monitored to find out how the virus has affected
your liver. There are several ways your doctor can
monitor your condition, including a simple blood
test to check your hepatitis B viral load.
If you ignore your
chronic hepatitis B,
will it ignore you
Do I need to worry about my condition
becoming worse if I lead a healthy lifestyle
Chronic hepatitis B is a serious infection caused
by the hepatitis B virus. Leading a healthy lifestyle
is important, but you also need to work with your
doctor to manage your condition. Your doctor may
recommend treatment even if you lead a
healthy lifestyle.
Can I pass my CHB to others
Yes, some of the ways you can spread the virus
are through infected blood and bodily fluids,
including unprotected sex and contaminated items.
Infected mothers can also spread the virus to
newborns at birth. Talk to your doctor about how
to protect others against CHB. © 2008 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ 08543 U.S.A. VIUS08UBPI02401 08/08
Don’t wait. Talk to your doctor
about medications that may help.
•English language •

Understanding chronic hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a common serious liver infection around the
world. In the U.S., about 1.25 to 2 million people have
chronic hepatitis B (CHB).
Chronic hepatitis B is caused by a virus.
• After infection with the hepatitis B virus, it travels in your
blood to your liver, where it multiplies and attacks healthy
liver cells.
Hepatitis B virus
• Some of the main functions of the liver are to process
nutrients from food, remove toxins from the body, and
build proteins that help blood clot.
Hepatitis B virus attacks the liver
• Hepatitis B is diagnosed with a simple blood test.
If your blood tests are positive for at least six months,
then your hepatitis B infection is chronic.
• Once the infection becomes chronic, it never goes away,
but can be managed by your doctor.
For more information
about chronic hepatitis B,
visit www.hepb.org
Chronic hepatitis B may cause
serious liver damage.
The hepatitis B virus
multiplies and spreads
in the liver. Your doctor
may take a simple
blood test to check
the amount of virus in your blood. This result, which is called
your viral load, may help your doctor decide how to manage
your condition.
Your viral load can change over time.
• Your viral load is one measure of how serious your
symptoms may become due to CHB.
• You may feel healthy even if you have CHB.
• The virus may be damaging your liver for years —
or even decades.
Normal liver Fibrosis Cirrhosis
• Serious liver damage — such as scarring of the liver
(fibrosis), permanent scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), and
even liver cancer — can occur. However, not all patients
progress to serious liver damage.
Partner with your doctor to help
manage your chronic hepatitis B.
Talk to your doctor about ways to manage your CHB to
determine what may be right for you.
• Lead a healthy lifestyle.
• Visit your doctor regularly, as directed, to monitor
your condition, your viral load,
and the health of your liver.
• Your doctor will determine
if you need to be treated
for CHB.
• There are treatments that may help to
reduce your viral load, which may help
your liver’s condition improve.
Talk to your doctor about
treatment options
that may be right for you.
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