Can cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B virus be cured?

Written by Ye Xi Yong
Infectious Diseases
Updated on September 23, 2024
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Hepatitis B virus-induced cirrhosis was previously considered incurable, though its progression could be slowed. However, recent observations and studies have shown that a small fraction of patients with early-stage hepatitis B virus-induced cirrhosis can be cured. However, the proportion of these patients is extremely low. To draw an analogy, cirrhosis is like our houses. If the cement, steel bars, and brick structure are damaged, then the house is difficult to repair. Cirrhosis is akin to the structural damage of the house, making it hard to recover.

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Written by Zhang Jian Kang
Infectious Disease
1min 8sec home-news-image

Is hepatitis B cirrhosis contagious?

If hepatitis B is not well controlled, it can easily lead to the occurrence of cirrhosis. After the hepatitis B virus infects the human body, it causes repeated inflammatory damage to the liver, with recurring abnormalities in liver function. If during this period there is no formal antiviral treatment or lack of attention, it is very likely to lead to the development of cirrhosis. Once cirrhosis from hepatitis B occurs, it is generally irreversible. Cirrhosis due to hepatitis B is also an infectious disease, and its level of infectiousness mainly depends on the presence of the virus. If the viral load is positive, indicated by a positive HBV-DNA test, then it is infectious. If HBV-DNA is negative, then it is not infectious. Therefore, whether cirrhosis from hepatitis B is infectious primarily depends on the level of HBV-DNA.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Can early-stage cirrhosis cancer be cured?

Whether early-stage liver cirrhosis cancer can be cured depends on a detailed analysis of the specific situation. Firstly, if a patient with early-stage liver cirrhosis develops cancer, it is crucial to promptly combine the patient’s physical condition with aggressive surgical treatment. The specific surgical approach and procedure are determined by clinical doctors. Moreover, for patients with early-stage cancer, targeted etiological treatment should be administered. For instance, if the early-stage liver cancer is caused by alcoholic liver cirrhosis, active intervention is necessary. If it is due to viral hepatitis, such as chronic hepatitis B leading to liver cirrhosis and progressing to early-stage cancer, active antiviral treatment is required.

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Written by Yang Chun Guang
Gastroenterology
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Can alcoholic cirrhosis be contagious?

Cirrhosis caused by hepatitis formed by alcohol is not contagious in clinical settings. Contagious cirrhosis generally refers to viral hepatitis, such as hepatitis A, B, C, and E, which are infectious. Alcoholic cirrhosis, primarily caused by drinking, is not caused by viruses; hence, alcohol does not facilitate transmission between people. The common transmission modes involve fecal-oral routes, for instance, through blood and bodily fluids in hepatitis A and B. In contrast, alcoholic liver disease is relatively safe, so there is no need to worry about it being contagious.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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Will early-stage cirrhosis cause lower back pain?

In the early stages of cirrhosis, there are generally no specific symptoms. Some patients may experience symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and aversion to oily foods. Typically, symptoms do not include lower back pain. However, if lower back pain occurs, it is necessary to consider and rule out diseases that frequently cause this symptom. Firstly, conditions such as lumbar muscle strain; secondly, issues like lumbar disc herniation or lumbar spine diseases; thirdly, kidney-related diseases, such as kidney stones, etc. Therefore, it is essential to first determine the cause of the lower back pain, or from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, whether the pain is related to kidney deficiency? Then, a differential diagnosis can be made, followed by treatment. This approach will ensure more effective therapeutic outcomes.

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Written by Yang Chun Guang
Gastroenterology
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Is liver cirrhosis with ascites contagious?

Liver cirrhosis in the decompensated stage with ascites present is not inherently contagious. Whether the condition is infectious depends not on the severity of liver function, the degree of liver cirrhosis, or the gravity of ascites, but rather on the underlying cause of the liver cirrhosis. For example, liver cirrhosis caused by alcohol consumption is not contagious. However, if the liver cirrhosis is due to viral hepatitis, such as commonly seen with hepatitis B or C, the condition can be infectious. Therefore, the presence of ascites or liver cirrhosis itself is not an indicator of infectiousness; the crucial factor is whether there is an infectious virus present.