Is there any treatment for hepatitis?

If a blood test shows that you have one of these diseases, your physician may prescribe bed rest inactivity.

The doctor may also recommend that you isolate yourself and use disposable plates, cups and utensils.

Recently, treatment with the drug interferon has shown encouraging results in patients with chronic cases of hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

Nevertheless, the most important way to avoid the consequences of hepatitis is through prevention. If a person is infected with hepatitis A virus, other members of the household who are not immune may receive an injection of a blood product called gamma globulin. Gamma globulin contains antibody to hepatitis A virus that can reduce the recipients risk of infection.

Under certain conditions, people who are exposed to hepatitis B virus and are not immune may be given a blood product with a high concentration of protective hepatitis B antibody called hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG). Hepatitis B vaccine also may be considered for long-term prevention. Circumstances that would suggest the administration of HBIG, hepatitis B vaccine, or both, should be discussed with your physician.