How is viral hepatitis treated?
- Hepatitis A: no specific treatment
Hepatitis A is a disease that usually resolves spontaneously and provides immunity. In most healthy people, the body eliminates HAV without medical treatment and the virus does not cause a serious illness. Deaths from HAV are rare.
- Hepatitis B: antiviral treatment
There is no specific treatment for an acute HBV infection. As with an HAV infection, most healthy adults can eliminate HBV from their bodies without medication. Depending on their symptoms, people may be administered a supporting treatment. In adults who cannot eliminate the virus however, some develop chronic hepatitis (approximately 5-10% of infected adults). Depending on the case of chronic hepatitis B, treatments are available for possibly slowing the development of complications, such as cirrhosis or liver cancer, and improving survival.
- Hepatitis C: antiviral treatment
Unlike HBV, a large portion of people who are infected with HCV develop chronic hepatitis. There is a high likelihood of complications in this group (liver cirrhosis or liver cancer). For a few years, a very effective treatment has been available, which can cure chronic hepatitis C in more than 90% of cases.
- Hepatitis E: no specific treatment
As with hepatitis A, hepatitis E generally resolves spontaneously. In most healthy people, the body eliminates HEV without medical treatment and the virus does not cause a serious illness. In patients with underlying conditions, the virus can remain present for longer than 6 months in exceptional cases, and targeted treatment is recommended in very specific cases. Deaths from HEV occur rarely.