Is Hepatitis B,curable? can u still live a normal life? for how long though?

what is the cost of the medication to control it?pls give estimate in doller terms,if possible.

The natural history of chronic HBV infection can vary dramatically between individuals. Some will develop a condition commonly referred to as a chronic carrier state. These patients, who are still potentially infectious, have no symptoms and no abnormalities on laboratory testing. Nonetheless, some of these patients will have evidence of hepatitis on liver biopsy.

Some individuals with chronic hepatitis B will have clinically insignificant or minimal liver disease and never develop complications. Others will have clinically apparent chronic hepatitis. Some will go on to develop cirrhosis. Individuals with chronic hepatitis B, especially those with cirrhosis but even so-called chronic carriers, are at an increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer). Although this type of cancer is relatively rare in the United States, it is the leading cause of cancer death in the world, primarily because HBV infection is endemic in the East.

Chronic infection with HBV can be either "replicative" or "non-replicative." In non-replicative infection, the rate of viral replication in the liver is low and serum HBV DNA concentration is generally low and hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg) is not detected. HBeAg is an alternatively processed protein of the pre-core gene that is only synthesized under conditions of high viral replication. In "replicative" infection, the patient usually has a relatively high serum concentration of viral DNA and detectable HBeAg. Patients with chronic hepatitis B and "replicative" infection defined by the presence of detectable HBeAg have a generally worse prognosis and a greater chance of developing cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma than those without HBeAg. In rare strains of HBV with mutations in the pre-core gene, "replicative" infection can occur in the absence of detectable serum HBeAg.The diagnosis of HBV infection is generally made on the basis of serology. Virtually all individuals infected with HBV, either acutely or chronically, will have detectable serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). In acute infection, HBsAg is detectable several weeks after infection and its appearance coincides with the onset of clinical symptoms. HBeAg is also detectable in acute infection which is characterized by a high rate of viral replication. At around the same time, IgM antibodies against core antigen are detectable in serum. Subsequently, IgG antibodies against core are produced. As acute infection resolves, IgG antibodies against core antigen persist and IgM antibodies and HBsAg become undetectable. Subjects who develop an immune response against HBV develop antibodies against HBsAg. Such antibodies are also produced by vaccination. Most people who have had acute infection that resolves continue to have IgG antibodies against core antigen for life. Some remain immune with antibodies against HBsAg but some lose these antibodies and may be susceptible to future infection.
In individuals suspected of having chronic hepatitis B, the appropriate screening test is for serum HBsAg. Individuals who may have chronic hepatitis B who should be considered for testing include:

Those with symptoms of chronic liver disease
Those with abnormal laboratory tests suggesting liver disease

Those with risk factors such as past intravenous drug use or unprotected promiscuous sex
Children of HBV infected parents or household contacts
Health care workers
Patients on hemodialysis
Individuals in the above groups who do not have chronic hepatitis B should be offered vaccination as most remain at increased risk of acquiring infection.

Well, all I can help you with is a knowledge that I know someone who was cured of Hepatitis B
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=brian+l...
Hepatitis B is NOT "curable",it's controlled by a series of gamma globulin shots.NORMALLY,those who have had the shots will never have any symptoms.

The 3 shots are inexpensive,probably less than a hundred bucks.
The word hepatitis simply means an inflammation of the liver without pinpointing a specific cause. Someone with hepatitis may:

* have one of several disorders, including viral or bacterial infection of the liver
* have a liver injury caused by a toxin (poison)
* have liver damage caused by interruption of the organ's normal blood supply
* be experiencing an attack by his or her own immune system through an autoimmune disorder
* have experienced trauma to the abdomen in the area of the liver

Hepatitis is most commonly caused by one of three viruses:

* the hepatitis A virus
* the hepatitis B virus
* the hepatitis C virus

In some rare cases, the Epstein Barr Virus (which causes mononucleosis) can also result in hepatitis because it can cause inflammation of the liver. Other viruses and bacteria that also can cause hepatitis include hepatitis D and E, varicella (chickenpox), and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B (also called serum hepatitis) is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV can cause a wide spectrum of symptoms ranging from general malaise to chronic liver disease that can lead to liver cancer.

The hepatitis B virus spreads through:

* infected body fluids, such as blood, saliva, semen, vaginal fluids, tears, and urine
* a contaminated blood transfusion (uncommon in the United States)
* shared contaminated needles or syringes for injecting drugs
* sexual activity with an HBV-infected person
* transmission from HBV-infected mothers to their newborn babies
Diagnosis
All of these viral hepatitis conditions can be diagnosed and followed through the use of readily available blood tests.

Signs and Symptoms
Hepatitis, in its early stages, may cause flu-like symptoms, including:

* malaise (a general ill feeling)
* fever
* muscle aches
* loss of appetite
* nausea
* vomiting
* diarrhea
* jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)

But some people with hepatitis may have no symptoms at all and may not even know they're infected. Children with hepatitis A, for example, usually have mild symptoms or have no symptoms.

If hepatitis progresses, its symptoms begin to point to the liver as the source of illness. Chemicals normally secreted by the liver begin to build up in the blood, which causes:

* jaundice
* foul breath
* a bitter taste in the mouth
* dark or "tea-colored" urine
* white, light, or "clay-colored" stools

There can also be abdominal pain, which may be centered below the right ribs (over a tender, swollen liver) or below the left ribs (over a tender spleen).
The hepatitis B virus can be found in virtually all body fluids, though its main routes of infection are through sexual contact, contaminated blood transfusions, and shared needles for drug injections. Household contact with adults with hepatitis B can put people at risk for contracting hepatitis. But frequent hand washing and good hygiene practices can reduce this risk. All children in the United States are routinely vaccinated against hepatitis B at birth and use of the hepatitis B vaccine can greatly decrease the incidence of this infection. Ask your child's doctor about this vaccine. Even adults can be vaccinated if they feel they're at risk.
Prevention
In general, to prevent viral hepatitis you should:

* Follow good hygiene and avoid crowded, unhealthy living conditions.

* Take extra care, particularly when drinking and swimming, if you travel to areas of the world where sanitation is poor and water quality is uncertain.

* Never eat shellfish from waters contaminated by sewage.

* Remind everyone in your family to wash their hands thoroughly after using the toilet and before eating.

* Use antiseptic cleansers to clean any toilet, sink, potty-chair, or bedpan used by someone in the family who develops hepatitis.

Because contaminated needles and syringes are a major source of hepatitis infection, it's a good idea to encourage drug awareness programs in your community and schools. At home, speak to your child frankly and frequently about the dangers of drug use. It's also important to encourage abstinence and safe sex for teens, in order to eliminate their risk of hepatitis infection through sexual contact.
There's also a hepatitis B vaccine, which should be given to both children and adults as part of routine immunization.

Duration
For viral hepatitis, the incubation period (the time it takes for a person to become infected after being exposed) varies depending on which hepatitis virus causes the disease:

* For hepatitis A, the incubation period is 2 to 6 weeks.
* For hepatitis B, the incubation period is between 4 and 20 weeks.
* For hepatitis C, it's estimated that the incubation period is 2 to 26 weeks.

With hepatitis B, 85% to 90% of patients recover from their illness completely within 6 months, without long-term complications.
# Hepatitis B can sometimes be treated using medications. Four drugs are approved for use in adults with hepatitis B, but there hasn't been enough research yet on their use in children. However, you can talk to your child's doctor about a drug that may be available in some centers on a research basis for children.

Cannot tell you the cost in dollars- depends on the drugs the physician prescribes, how many, and for how long.
Hep B, along with other liver probs are not curable, but they are treatable. once you have this types of diseases they usually leave a scar in your liver and you are now prone to cirrhosis.. you can still live a long and normal life if you avoid alcohol intake.. your liver will deflate like a baloon with too much alcohol it cannot handle.. plus you factor other diseases.
In Homeopathy it is curable as far as I know ! if the infected person gives any good Homeopathic physician his detailed symptoms he can be treated successfully and cured :-)
And it is not even expensive .
Feel Free to contact me if really wanna get well !
take care and God Bless You !