JAKARTA – Not all hepatitis sufferers have to take antiviral drugs to get rid of the disease, according to a specialist in internal medicine who is a member of the Indonesian Liver Research Association (PPHI), Dr. Irsan Hasan. “Even though drugs are available at pharmacies, not all patients have to get antiviral drugs. Patients who are given drugs must meet the indication criteria,” he said in a webinar, Friday.
This means there are patients who are only observed by a doctor because the hepatitis virus in his body is considered to be sleeping so he does not need treatment. “If given a drug, get ready for years of antiviral and there is the possibility of a lifetime,” said Irsan.
There are a number of indications that require patients to get treatment and this is the result of a doctor’s examination, one of which if alanin aminotransferase/ ALT normally obtained from SGPT enzyme measurement tests in the blood. The SGPT enzyme is a sensitive indicator of liver damage. This enzyme has been used to identify liver disease for more than 50 years.
Hepatitis is a liver infection due to a virus. In Indonesia, the three highest causes of liver disease are hepatitis B, C and NAFL. Patients with chronic liver disease must be monitored and controlled regularly. In infants infected with hepatitis B, he is 90% at risk of suffering from chronic hepatitis. He will have hepatitis for years and even died.
Meanwhile, if infected by adults, then the possibility of becoming chronic is around 10 percent. In adults who are newly exposed to hepatitis B, generally will experience symptoms such as yellowing of his eyes, nausea. While those who are chronic due to illness since infancy, generally do not experience any symptoms.
Chronic hepatitis is usually only detected if complications occur, one of which is cirrhosis or hardening of the liver. For this reason, early detection can be done only through a blood test. “Want nope want a blood test, check HBsAg and Anti HBs. If HBsAg is positive it means he is sick. If the Anti HBs is positive it means that he has immunity, “said Irsan.
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