Acute hepatitis B

Most patients with acute hepatitis B are managed with supportive care. In patients with severe or fulminant acute hepatitis B (0.1 to 0.5% of patients), oral antiviral therapy may improve clinical outcome—seek expert advice. In such patients, prompt contact with a liver transplant service is strongly recommended (see Liver transplant referral).

Some patients who present with apparent acute hepatitis B infection may be experiencing a flare of previously undiagnosed chronic hepatitis B; specialist referral and ongoing follow-up is required for these patients.