This page provides general information for patients and referrers in Australia. It is not personal medical advice. Discuss your situation with your doctor, or contact Liver Screen if you have been referred to our clinic.
Living with chronic hepatitis B
Chronic hepatitis B means the hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains in your body for more than six months. Many people feel well and have no symptoms, which is why blood tests and ongoing follow-up matter — even when you feel fine.
Current antiviral medicines do not usually clear the virus completely, but they can suppress viral replication, reduce liver inflammation, and lower the chance of long-term damage. Treatment is recommended for some people and not required for others; that decision is based on viral load, liver enzymes, fibrosis stage, age, and other factors.
What monitoring involves
- Regular blood tests (ALT, HBV DNA viral load, and other markers as advised).
- Assessment of liver fibrosis — often with FibroScan and blood-based scores.
- Review of whether antiviral treatment should start, continue, or change.
- Discussion of family screening and vaccination for household and sexual contacts where appropriate.
- Liver cancer surveillance for people who meet Australian high-risk criteria — see HCC screening.
Treatment in everyday terms
When treatment is indicated, tablets such as tenofovir or entecavir are commonly used in Australia. They are usually taken once daily and require ongoing monitoring for response and safety. Stopping therapy without medical advice can be harmful.
Lifestyle measures still matter: limit alcohol, manage weight and metabolic health, and avoid unnecessary medicines that stress the liver. Tell every clinician and pharmacist that you have hepatitis B.
Why HCC surveillance matters
Hepatitis B can increase liver cancer risk even without cirrhosis. People in higher-risk groups are advised to have a liver ultrasound every six months, sometimes with an AFP blood test. Starting surveillance and staying on it for life (unless your specialist advises otherwise) gives the best chance of finding cancer early, when curative options are more likely.
Clinical partners
For GPs and referrers
Liver Screen provides assessment, FibroScan, treatment initiation and monitoring for people living with chronic HBV, and linkage to HCC surveillance pathways.
Useful information on referral
- HBsAg status and date of chronicity if known.
- HBeAg / anti-HBe, HBV DNA, ALT, and prior treatment history.
- Ethnicity, country of birth, and family history of HCC.
- HIV / HCV / HDV co-infection status if tested.
- Prior FibroScan, elastography, or imaging.
- Current medications and pregnancy plans where relevant.
Align care with Australasian guidance (including ASHM hepatitis B resources). Offer contact tracing and vaccination for eligible household and sexual contacts. Refer early if there is cirrhosis, rising AFP, or a focal liver lesion.