About 1-2 percent of those chronically infected convert to show antibody every year, and they are then also immune. Treatment of chronic hepatitis B has not been very effective to date. Interferon is given for periods of six months to a year. Recent research indicates that lamivudine, an antiviral drug originally used to treat HIV, will increase the response rate to interferon. By far, the best thing, though, is to be immunized against hepatitis B before one catches it.
Safe vaccines are available, and it is now officially recommended that all children be immunized.
The immunization requires a series of three shots. A method to prevent transmission from mother to newborn child has also been developed, and the immunization plus the infant treatment will probably greatly reduce the number of infections in the future. Since hepatitis B can be sexually transmitted, it is yet another reason to always practice safe sex until you are in a long-term monogamous relationship. This is one doctor who makes housecalls. Shop O2 .