Dear @Opa,
Please remind us are you taking antiviral medication? Do you have a HBV DNA result from the same blood test (or one done not long before or after).
@availlant like I said in my previous post, it’s too hard to conduct hbv DNA here in uganda coz its getting to close a year now ever since my blood samples were taken for DNA with no results yet.
My very recent blood work shows an increase in ALT and AST. Which gets me much worried.
In regards to medication, am not yet there may be if I visited my primary health experts for a recommendation.
Thanks
Hi @Opa,
Thanks for the reminder. I was not able to locate your previous post with the correct information.
Your ALT result (a marker for liver inflammation) is mildly elevated. Additionally, there is some kidney dysfunction present (elevated creatinine). Both of these findings being present together can occur when chronic HBV infection transitions to chronic hepatitis.
You should consult a doctor to discuss starting antiviral therapy.
Thanks @availlant. Going to visit my doctor soon probably I may be put on medication. This however is my biggest worry more especially taking the drugs on a daily basis for the rest of my life with its terrible side effects.
Dear @Opa ,
There is no doubt that taking medication for the rest of your life is annoying. However, remember that it is only a single pill each day and other than the cost, will really have no impact on your life.
As with any medication, there are always a very small group of persons who have stronger side effects with currently available antiviral medications for chronic HBV infection. You will have been exposed to these people here at the HBV community as they are looking for help. Please remember that the very large majority of people who take these medications have no side effects.
@availlant is it right taking it without having DNA test done?
By the way, my wife and I just received our very first baby girl now 3days old. May GOD enable me live longer to see her grow and prosperous.
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Thanks for clarifying. It’s going to take a while to get all this straight.
What is even more mystifying to me, is that a blood panel in March 2000, showed a low level of HBsAb (<2.0 IU/L) but no recent tests show any HBsAb. Why would that be? They show HBsAg as reactive and HB core total (IgG+Igm) also reactive.
I am now awaiting results for the blood panel for HDV and for the retests for HBV and HCV that have now been requisitioned by my GP. They should be available in a week or so.
Dear Opa. I am not an expert and am still new to my own chronic HBV diagnosis, but I wish you all the best and the opportunity to see your first daughter grow and prosper. Karp.
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Hello everyone,
I’m from Ghana. I was diagnosed with HBV In 2017 after my nursing school.l’m healthy.Liver is fine because I do labs every 3 months. I started practicing nursing for the past 3 years and I want to travel to Germany to work in a care home or a hospital but I’m afraid I will be refused visa or l won’t get any care home or hospital to work in at Germany because of my condition. l want to start my German language course this month but I’m still confused.
I need your advice and help guys.thank you
Congratulations @Opa on your baby girl. God is good.
I have a three month old grandson brings me so much joy.
I have been on anti-viral medication for about seven years and have not suffered any side-effects. If you do have side-effects, you can discuss things with your doctor.
Most importantly is to get checked every six months, blood test, ultrasound. Eat healthy, food exercise and just look after your body.
Stay in contact with us and any questions you have. Someone will be happy to answer you and by the way I am 63 and have had this virus since I was 20 years old. 
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Hi everyone,
I am 37, currently living in Germany and was diagnosed with a routine test last june.
Not sure 100% how I got infected, but probably as a kid during a medical procedure in my origin country.
At the beginning I was confused, angry, not knowing much about the disease and I am very grateful that I found this community.Thank you all for all the work and for keeping this forum alive.
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Hello @Alaa, I happen to be in the same boat, we are also vaccinated at school before being tested for hep B and later our little brother donated blood and he was informed he had hep B, I got scared because I had been vaccinated but thank God I was told by my doctor that the vaccine has no live virus, still eating healthy, resting a lot, not using alcohols though I exercise very less but I believe because I am a nurse the movements I get on ward help alot
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Hi all
I’m Eriq from Nigeria, I’m 27
I tested positive for hep b last month, I’ve been confused and depressed since then, i don’t know how long I’ve had it and don’t know if I’m still in the acute phase or if it’s progressed to a chronic condition, I haven’t started antiviral treatment yet because I have no idea what I’m into. This is the lowest I’ve ever felt in my whole life… I used to be a heavy drinker and cigarette smoker but I quit since the day I saw my test results… I only smoke marijuana now because it helps with my appetite and depression…. Please I need advices please!!
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and hope this forum will help support you through your journey.
As mentioned in other posts, the shock, fatigue, anger, and sadness does fade over time. Many of us here have been in exactly the same situation, so there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Please keep us updated on your status!
Thomas
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Thanks @ThomasTu homas
And thanks for the good work too
Please I have a quick question, i tested positive for hep b on 5th of February last month and was immediately prescribed a combination antiviral 50mg of Dolutegravir, 300mg of lamivudine and 300mg of tenofovir… I wasn’t okay with the immediate start of treatment so paused it after taking just one tablet, will it affect me?..
I’ve gone to a liver specialist yesterday and he’s running some tests on me to know if I can start treatments or not.
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Hi, I am Maria from Canada, but I lived the first 19 years of my life in Bulgaria. I am 42 , married with two kids and according to doctors I have been a Hep B carrier since childhood.
I have had ups and downs , failed treatment with Interferon, period of recovery, and now again the virus is active and I have F2 damage. It is great that this community exists ! I have first hand experienced the stigma about Hep B and have been discriminated against enough to deter me from disclosing it at work or educational institutions. Talking about it with my family makes them sad, so a community of people going through similar challenges provides a unique and very powerful support. The additional support from experts makes it even better. Thank you all for being there! Thank you for creating this , Thomas Tu!
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Hey Eriq,
Taking just one tablet and stopping would not like any affect on you, and it’s probably a good idea to consult with a liver specialist first to find out more about your infection (acute, chronic, etc). I am not a medical doctor, however I think the doctor might be prescribing immediate anti-virals just in case you have an acute infection and it would help you get over the virus in the acute stage.
Lamivudine is an older anti-viral drug for Hepatitis B, and Tenofovir is a newer generation with much lower chance of developing viral drug resistance over the course of long term treatment.
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Welcome @Eriq
I’m glad you found us. We have lots of resources and personal posts you can read.
Look around the forum and know the posts are genuine and factual. Lots of professional people on this forum.
Great you have a liver specialist. They will be very helpful. Hopefully you are seeing soon. The combination of medication seems a bit unusual.
Taking one tablet will not effect you.
The antiviral medication usually doesn’t cause any side affects. I’ve been on two different types of antivirals since starting treatment seven years ago. Not at the same time.
Treatment is usually one tablet a day.
Btw I’m not a doctor but have forty years of lived experience of HBV.
Hi @MariaE
Welcome to the community, we are glad to have you. Thanks for sharing your experience with us all. About the stigma and discrimination issues these are very real. We can continue to educate people about this disease with the hope that it helps others to change their behavior or attitude towards people with hepatitis B. Please don’t feel down about it, sharing and getting support from the people you care about and respect is important than anything else. One day soon with a cure all this will pass. Best, Bansah1
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Hi @anonml,
Welcome to the community and thanks for sharing your experience with us all. Hepatitis B is very prevalent in some countries especially in Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands. So it is more likely to be born with this virus if your were born or have a parent that was born in any of these regions. I hope you can get good follow-up care and monitoring now that you know of your status. Blood work and abdominal ultrasounds every 6 months or yearly is the case for most patient who are under care and monitoring. Please keep up with these follow-ups because they are vital as this virus can change cause without any warning or symptoms. Best, Bansah1
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