What is the Normal Viral Load for Hepatitis B

Did you know that hepatitis B is among the most widespread infectious diseases globally, with 254 million people living with the disease in 2022? Additionally, there are around 1.2 million new infections worldwide each year, which cause an estimated 1.1 million deaths annually. The prevalence of hepatitis B makes understanding this condition essential, including what type of infection it is, what causes it, and what the normal viral load for hepatitis B is. All these points are covered in the following article, along with methods used to reduce the viral load in hepatitis B patients.

What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a contagious, viral infection of the liver. It can be transmitted through blood or bodily fluids, which typically happens during unprotected sex, sharing needles, or during birth when the mother infects the child. The hepatitis B virus can stay in the body asymptomatically or cause symptoms including fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, and jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes).

Infection types are classified into acute and long-term. While the former often affects the body only in the short term and can resolve on its own, chronic infections are more severe, can last over six months, and may lead to serious complications, including liver inflammation, cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer if untreated. Your risk of contracting Hepatitis B can be significantly reduced by getting vaccinated, which is especially important for young children or those at a higher risk.

What is the Normal Viral Load for Hepatitis B?

Regularly monitoring the viral load or the amount of hepatitis B virus in the blood of patients is crucial, since it determines the infection's severity and activity. This can help healthcare providers assess a person’s risk of liver damage, liver inflammation, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and other complications, and help them decide on the best course of action regarding treatment and follow-up care. For example, a declining viral load indicates that the current medication is effective, while sudden spikes can mean the opposite.

So, what is the normal viral load for hepatitis B? The viral load is considered normal when it's undetectable in the blood and therefore regarded as inactive and not causing liver damage. The viral load is measured in international units per milliliter, and in chronic hepatitis, a viral load of less than 2,000 IU/mL is typically considered low. In comparison, numbers above 20,000 IU/mL in HBeAg-positive patients, or above 2,000 IU/mL in HBeAg-negative patients, are considered to put someone at greater risk of liver disease progression.

How to Reduce Viral Load in Hepatitis B Patients?

Treatment for hepatitis B is usually meant to be taken long-term or indefinitely. Taking it regularly without stopping it suddenly or skipping doses is crucial to prevent the virus from rebounding. Antiviral medications like Entecavir and Adefovir Dipivoxil are the most commonly prescribed forms of treatment for patients with hepatitis B since they effectively suppress the viral load in the blood. Although less common, interferon therapy is another treatment option.

Alongside medications, individuals living with hepatitis B can support their liver health and the success of their treatment by taking some simple steps that will benefit their health overall. These can include staying away from alcohol, highly processed, or fatty foods. Maintaining a healthy weight and staying up-to-date on vaccinations can also be beneficial and help you lead a healthy and active life, despite hepatitis B.