After some input from experts on here, I learned there’s really no certain way to keep viral load levels low - but I was curious to know, is this one of those things that fluctuates all the time? For example, if my levels are low now, if I went to check a month from now, could they suddenly have gone up?
Or does it, for the most part, stay consistent so long that there have been no drastic changes in one’s condition?
I am not a healthcare worker, but a chronic HBV carrier.
You may be able to find ample amount of information around viral load from the Internet already.
After no changes to viral load for over 20 years, I experienced an increase in viral load a few years ago, and was referred to a specialist who put me on medication.
I would recommend consulting a specialist, and I am pretty sure you will be taken good care of.
I’d be interested in knowing more about this, too. Also, are there any signs to show it gone up? Assuming this would also lend itself to resulting in a greater possibility of spreading this to so done else?
Are these upward fluctuations are what they call flare-ups?
This would add credence to my wife’s concerns about possible transmission at such times. I’d rather KNOW the truth than not …
Denny
It’s not the viral load you look after . It’s the value of your surface antigen , you need to have Hsbv at < 100 to consider yourself functional cure . There still chance of your liver becoming cirrhotic or getting HCC .
Hi @Anon2023, @Starr_Lennon, and @Denny,
This is my view and I will take this in two ways: In the first instance using myself as an example, I am a chronic carrier and have been on treatment since 2015. The only fluctuation I see or experience has not been with my viral load/HBV DNA, but rather with my liver function test (ALT and AST). I have stayed undetectable through out all the periods of liver function fluctuations. I will assume this is the case for most patients on treatment. This is more leaning towards your second question (@Anon2023), where viral load stays consistent, liver function test might fluctuate once in a while at least for me. (Note: Each individual case might be different).
In the second instance, people with inactive infection can at some point become active. This can happen without having any symptoms. It is also possible for someone with a functional cure to experience this as well. This might be likely possible when the immune system becomes weaker due to either cancer treatments such as chemo, or other medications that can suppress one’s immune system. Being under a prolonged stressed life can have an impact on one’s immune system and could trigger something like this. If possible we should try and avoid anything that can suppress our immune system.
The advice is everyone with either active or inactive case must remain monitored, with either once a year or every 6 months follow-ups. These changes can be seen through labs/imaging and the person might not have any symptoms. HBV is a complex disease.
i hope this helps. Bansah1.
Thanks, Bright. Hey, on a lighter note, don’t STRESS over the allergies…your body chemistry will change someday. In the meantime, enjoy the winters more or consider relocating to Arizona? (Hope these words give you a chuckle, my friend)
Denny
Thanks Denny. We just need some rain to get rid of the pollens. I am managing as best as I can. Arizona, sorry I will pass. I can spend a week or two there but not live there. Not for me lol. I spent a week or so there during a cross country trip 6-7 years ago. Maybe Colorado, but not their winter lol. You see, I am picky too lol. You made me chuckle, Denny. Best, Bansah1.
Hi @Anon2023,
Just like a lot of biological systems, the answer is “it depends”.
There are phases which are quite stable. One example is the “immune tolerance” phase, when people are infected with HBV from a very young age. In this phase of infection, you have very high viral load (>100000000/mL of blood) but not much liver disease. The immune system doesn’t recognise the virus-infected cells and so there is not much inflammation. You can be in this state for many decades without change.
The other major stable phase is “immune control” when the virus load is very low or undetectable. The immune system has controlled the infection and has raised an anti-HBe antibody response. There is generally very low rates of disease progression in this phase. Again, you can be in this state for many decades without change.
Quite a bit of fluctuation (of virus DNA and ALT) can occur when the virus and your immune system are battling it out. Sometimes this is asymptomatic and impossible to notice unless you do blood tests, which is why the recommendation is to get blood tests every 6 months to monitor your status.
Hope this helps a bit,
Thomas