Is hepatitis B with liver cirrhosis severe?

Written by Yuan Lin Yan
Infectious Disease
Updated on September 23, 2024
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Hepatitis B-related cirrhosis is a form of liver cirrhosis caused by the hepatitis B virus, and it is more severe than chronic hepatitis B. However, cirrhosis can be categorized into compensated cirrhosis and decompensated cirrhosis. Decompensated cirrhosis refers to the advanced stages of cirrhosis, characterized by significant hardening of the liver, and complications such as ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and gastrointestinal bleeding may occur. This type of cirrhosis is severe and has a high mortality rate, and even timely antiviral therapy against hepatitis B cannot effectively delay the progression of the disease. Compensated cirrhosis refers to the early stages of cirrhosis, where complications like ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and gastrointestinal bleeding are not present, making this type of cirrhosis comparatively less severe. With timely antiviral therapy against hepatitis B, the progression of cirrhosis can be delayed.

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Written by Zhang Jian Kang
Infectious Disease
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Is hepatitis B cirrhosis contagious?

If hepatitis B is not well controlled, it can easily lead to the occurrence of cirrhosis. After the hepatitis B virus infects the human body, it causes repeated inflammatory damage to the liver, with recurring abnormalities in liver function. If during this period there is no formal antiviral treatment or lack of attention, it is very likely to lead to the development of cirrhosis. Once cirrhosis from hepatitis B occurs, it is generally irreversible. Cirrhosis due to hepatitis B is also an infectious disease, and its level of infectiousness mainly depends on the presence of the virus. If the viral load is positive, indicated by a positive HBV-DNA test, then it is infectious. If HBV-DNA is negative, then it is not infectious. Therefore, whether cirrhosis from hepatitis B is infectious primarily depends on the level of HBV-DNA.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Will early portal hypertension from cirrhosis get better?

As for whether early portal hypertension caused by liver cirrhosis can improve, it depends on the cause of the liver cirrhosis and the effectiveness of the treatment for liver cirrhosis. If the liver cirrhosis is caused by viral hepatitis, then with proactive antiviral treatment, the early stage of liver cirrhosis might be reversible to some extent, and the portal hypertension might also be treatable. If it is due to some difficult-to-treat causes of liver cirrhosis, then the patient’s portal hypertension is likely hard to improve. For example, in cases of early liver cirrhosis caused by autoimmune liver disease, the liver cirrhosis will progressively worsen, and at this point, the portal hypertension cannot improve. Once portal hypertension occurs, it is necessary to regularly perform gastroscopy examinations.

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Written by Yang Chun Guang
Gastroenterology
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Is liver cirrhosis with ascites contagious?

Liver cirrhosis in the decompensated stage with ascites present is not inherently contagious. Whether the condition is infectious depends not on the severity of liver function, the degree of liver cirrhosis, or the gravity of ascites, but rather on the underlying cause of the liver cirrhosis. For example, liver cirrhosis caused by alcohol consumption is not contagious. However, if the liver cirrhosis is due to viral hepatitis, such as commonly seen with hepatitis B or C, the condition can be infectious. Therefore, the presence of ascites or liver cirrhosis itself is not an indicator of infectiousness; the crucial factor is whether there is an infectious virus present.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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What are the symptoms of early cirrhosis?

Early-stage cirrhosis does not have specific symptoms, and its manifestations are not typical. Some patients may have no symptoms at all, while others may experience general weakness, aversion to greasy food, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, abdominal distension, and abdominal pain. If these symptoms occur, it is recommended to visit a hospital promptly for an examination to determine the specific illness. If diagnosed with cirrhosis, it is necessary to identify the cause. Common diseases that lead to cirrhosis include viral hepatitis, such as chronic hepatitis B or chronic hepatitis C, as well as alcoholic liver disease and fatty liver. Once the cause is identified, treatment can be targeted based on the specific cause.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Can cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B be cured by taking Chinese medicine?

Liver cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B cannot be completely cured by Chinese medicine, as the main cause is the presence of the hepatitis B virus. Therefore, antiviral medications are necessary for treatment. Only by eradicating the hepatitis B virus can the patient's cirrhosis be effectively controlled. Certainly, Chinese medicine from traditional practices does have confirmed effects on treating hepatitis B-induced liver cirrhosis, but it cannot completely cure cirrhosis; it can only slow its progression. Hence, once a patient is diagnosed with hepatitis B cirrhosis, it is crucial to actively use antiviral medications for treatment, typically opting for drugs such as entecavir, telbivudine, or tenofovir. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)