Hepatites B

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  : : : : : : : : I was diagnosed with Hep. B 10 years ago. I have never been sick with it since, but I am curiouse,...Does this mean my liver has permanent necrosis,..or is that only with Hep. chronic?
  : : : : : : : Dear Wendy,
  : : : : : : : Most cases of acute hepatitis B viral infection do not progress to chronic liver injury. To determine whether or not you have chronic hepatitis B infection you should have a series of blood tests. Liver enzymes (aminotransferases- AST and ALT) are often elevated in chronic hepatitis. You can also be tested to see if you are a chronic carrier (hepatitis B surface antigen positive), infective (hepatitis B e antigen positive) or immune (hepatitis B surface antibody positive). I hope you find this information helpful.
  : : : : : : : This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.
  : : : : : : : If you would like to be seen at our institution please call 1-800-653-6568, our Referring Physicians' Office and make an appointment to see Dr. Muszkat one of our experts in Gastroenterology.
  : : : : : : : HFHSM.D.-ym
  : : : : : : : *Keywords: hepatitis B
  : : : : : : I am also a Hepatitis B carrier and my doctor told me recently that there is a hepatitis B DNA test which can tell the risk level of one's hepatitis B.  Can you tell me more about this and whether this is effective.  My doctor also said that if one is identified to have high risk, there is a new medicine ,which has been invented for treating HIV, can also be used to suppress the hepatitis B virus to reduce its risk to a very low level.  Please explain more on this.
  : : : : : : Please also advise where I can get expert advice on hepatitis B queries?
  : : : : : : Regards
  : : : : : : Dudley
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[HFHSM.D.-ym]

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  : : : : : Dear Dudley:
  : : : : : When someone has evidence of hepatitis B in their body, we then try to figure out if the infection is active and specifically we try to determine if the virus is actively replicating or making new virus.  One of the most important tests to determine this is to look for pieces of the virus