More than 95% of affected people will recover spontaneously without any particular medical or alternative treatment. Only a small number will have severe hepatitis which will require treatment, especially if there is co-infection with hepatitis C or D virus.

For acute hepatitis

There is no specific treatment for acute hepatitis. Medicine is content to recommend simple supportive measures:

– take rest if needed;

– have a balanced diet low in fat;

– to drink a lot of water;

– do not consume alcohol.

In rare very severe cases, hospitalization is required. Among these, there are sometimes cases of hepatitis insufficiency which require a liver transplant.

For chronic hepatitis

On a case-by-case basis, doctors may recommend antiviral drugs, depending on certain laboratory parameters, for patients with chronic infection. Antivirals will not be able to eliminate the virus, but keep it under control. Antivirals also lower the risk of liver cancer caused by the virus. Treatment could include interferon or oral antivirals, for a few months up to a year.

N.B. : The American Liver Foundation advises that you inform your doctor about any non-prescription drugs or natural products you are using. Some can seriously affect the liver. Several cases of fatal fulminant hepatitis or requiring transplantation have been reported.