Chronic active hepatitis
Alternative names:
chronic aggressive hepatitis
Treatment:
Treatment depends on the cause. Prednisone or other corticosteroids
help to reduce the inflammatory process. Azathioprine or mercaptopurine
are drugs used to treat immune disorders and have shown to
benefit patients with hepatitis.
Activity should be modified according to symptoms, but bed
rest is not indicated. A well-balanced
diet is necessary to promote healing. Any hepatotoxic
drugs should be stopped. Hepatitis C can be treated in some
cases with a combination of interferon and ribavirin.
Support groups:
The stress of illness
can often be helped by joining a support
group where members share common experiences and problems.
See liver disease - support
group.
Expectations (prognosis):
About 40 to 50% of patients with chronic active hepatitis
die within 5 years of the onset of symptoms, usually from
liver failure and complications of portal hypertension (increased
pressure in the liver veins).
Complications:
Calling your health care provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if
symptoms of chronic active hepatitis develop.
Call your health care provider if symptoms worsen or do not
improve with treatment, or if new symptoms develop (particularly
increased jaundice or
abdominal pain).
Updated Date: 02/09/00
Updated By:J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director,
Utah Health Informatics and adam.com
editorial
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