I tested positive for hepatitis B Virus about 10 years ago and my LFT is normal and viral load is very minimal. I am told that I am not eligible to be placed on drugs but to be monitoring by LFT and Viral load. I am scared but i dont know what to do.
Hello I hope you are well. You must know that chronic infection with hepatitis B virus has different phases:1. Immunotolerance: It is characterized by Head positivity, high levels of virus DNA replication and normal or low levels of hepatic enzymes. There may be mild hepatic neuroinflammation.2. Positive Head Immunoreactive: Head Positivity, elevated levels of viral replication and an increase or fluctuation of aminotransferase levels, moderate or severe hepatic neuroinflammation, and rapid progression of fibrosis.3. Inactive Carrier: It is characterized by very low or undetectable DNA levels and normal aminotransferases.4. HBC negative Head: It is characterized by a periodic reactivation with a pattern of fluctuating levels of DNA, aminotransferases and active hepatitis. For what you mention you are in the Inactive carrier phase, where you should effectively monitor every 4-6 months with a hepatic chemistry and viral load for HBV; any elevation of hepatic enzyme levels may warrant a liver biopsy to assess the degree of fibrosis and, if so, to institute a treatment.