Dear Friends
hope you all well
is there anyone can help me to explain that is there any test that i need to do to which going to tell me what kind of hepatitis b virus i have? because the doctor say that i need to know this related to the right medicine or antiviral that she is going to give me.
Thanks
Dear @mahar,
There is only one kind of virus that causes HBV infection. The presence of active HBV infection requiring treatment usually involves tests for the virus (HBsAg and HBV DNA) and also for alterations in liver function (liver enzymes and if needed an ultrasound of your liver).
Although there are several “strains” of HBV which are common in different parts of the world (they are called genotypes), the tests I have described above and treatment (if needed) are the same for all HBV genotypes.
While there are some minor differences between the antiviral effects of approved medications (ETV, TDF and TAF) in some HBV genotypes, genotyping of the virus not mornally done as it is expensive, time consuming and not performed in most labs.
If an inadequate antiviral response is seen with one antiviral medication, dose alteration and or switching to another medication is easily done with no safety impact. This is required in some patients during the first several months of therapy.
If you have been diagnosed with chronic HBV infection, your doctor should be focused on determining how active the infection is and if any liver inflammation and or scarring (fibrosis) is present. These assessments will allow the initiation of therapy as soon as possible if required.