Steps to Take to Protect Your Health

To lessen the toll that a chronic infection will take on your overall well-being, consider following these steps:

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Watch your diet: Avoid alcohol, because alcohol taxes the liver. It can further inflame a liver inflamed with the hepatitis B virus. There is no special diet for people who have chronic hepatitis B, but a healthy, well-balanced one that is low fat and includes plenty of vegetables is recommended. Do not eat raw shellfish; it may contain hepatitis A or bacteria that are also harmful to your liver.

Talk to your physician: Seek a green light before taking any over-the-counter medication, vitamins, supplements, or herbal remedies. Most drugs and herbal supplements are metabolized in the liver, so they can damage a liver already inflamed with hepatitis B. Some nonprescription medications, such as acetaminophen, have been shown to be toxic to the liver, even among those who are free of the hepatitis B virus.

Reduce stress: It's important to talk to friends and loved ones about the difficulties the illness is causing you. Consider using other stress reduction techniques, such as meditation and relaxation exercises. While some people with acute hepatitis B have no symptoms, others experience serious fatigue. A minority of individuals may experience symptoms for six months or longer. To prevent fatigue from becoming overwhelming, do only essential activities each day and spread the optional ones throughout the week.

Finally, be sure to have regular screenings for liver cancer and other serious complications.