IF I HAVE HEPATITIS B, WHAT SHOULD I AVOID EATING AND DRINKING ?

Hello Anonymous,

Welcome to EmpowHER. Thank you for reaching out to us for advice regarding what to eat or drink when diagnosed with Hepatitis B.

Has your physician given you any recommendations?

Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B is transmitted when blood, semen, or another body fluid from a person infected with the Hepatitis B virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. This can happen through sexual contact; sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment; or from mother to baby at birth.

For some people, hepatitis B is an acute, or short-term, illness but for others, it can become a long-term, chronic infection. Risk for chronic infection is related to age at infection: approximately 90% of infected infants become chronically infected, compared with 2%–6% of adults.

Chronic Hepatitis B can lead to serious health issues, like cirrhosis or liver cancer. The best way to prevent Hepatitis B is by getting vaccinated.

Eat a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep.

You need to take care of your liver. Don't drink alcohol. Don't take prescription or over-the-counter drugs without consulting your doctor. Get tested for hepatitis A and C. Get vaccinated for hepatitis A if you haven't been exposed.

Anonymous, you can find helpful articles on our Hepatitis B Definition and Overview page,
https://www.empowher.com/condition/hepatitis-b/definition

Check out the latest treatments by visiting https://www.empowher.com/condition/hepatitis-b/treatments

Keep in touch,
Maryann