Tiếng Việt
Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Hung, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Department, Hanoi French Hospital, says: “Not all patients with chronic hepatitis B need medication. Hepatitis B treatment must be initiated at the right time. Taking medication when it is not yet necessary may create a long-term monitoring burden while delaying treatment in patients who already have an indication may increase the risk of progressive liver damage.”
To determine the appropriate timing and treatment regimen, the doctor will assess several indicators, including:
- HBV DNA: assesses the viral load and indicates the level of viral replication.
- HBeAg and anti-HBe: help determine the disease phase and level of viral activity.
- AST and ALT: assess liver cell injury.
- Complete blood count, platelet count and albumin: help assess liver function and the risk of progressive liver disease.
- Hepatobiliary ultrasound and liver elastography: help detect hepatitis, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis or abnormalities that require monitoring.
Patients with a low viral load, stable liver enzymes and no evidence of liver damage do not need antiviral medication at the time of assessment. However, hepatitis B can transition from an inactive phase to an active phase. Therefore, you still need follow-up visits, liver enzyme tests, HBV DNA testing and liver assessment according to the doctor’s schedule.
Patients who need treatment are those with active viral replication together with elevated liver enzymes, advanced liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, or a high risk of progression to cirrhosis and liver cancer. The goal of treatment is to suppress viral replication, reduce liver inflammation, slow the progression of liver fibrosis and reduce the risk of long-term complications.
In particular, if a patient already has cirrhosis and detectable HBV DNA, antiviral treatment is usually indicated even when liver enzymes are not clearly elevated. This group requires close management due to the higher risk of liver failure and liver cancer.
Dr. Hung emphasized that chronic hepatitis B treatment is a long-term process. You should not buy antiviral medications on your own, take liver supplements without medical advice or stop medication when test results improve. Stopping medication at the wrong time may cause the virus to flare up again, leading to a sharp increase in liver enzymes and severe liver damage.
In addition, you need to protect their liver by limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling fatty liver disease, diabetes and dyslipidemia, and being cautious when using medications that may affect the liver.
At Hanoi French Hospital, patients with chronic hepatitis B are examined and managed by a team of specialists who have received advanced training in Vietnam and internationally, with many years of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis.
Our doctors not only have strong clinical expertise but also work closely across specialties to provide a personalized treatment plan for each patient. Modern laboratory systems and medical equipment help doctors accurately assess immune status, the degree of liver fibrosis and other relevant factors to support effective treatment and prevention of complications.
For further information or make an appointment with our specialist, please contact HOTLINE: 024 3577 1100, INBOX the fanpage “Hanoi French Hospital”, or via WhatsApp: +84 903 497 078.
