Is Hepatitis B Fatal?

Hepatitis B can indeed be life-threatening, particularly in the case of fulminant viral hepatitis, which poses a significant risk to the patient's life. Clinically, viral hepatitis is categorized into several types including acute viral hepatitis, chronic viral hepatitis, fulminant viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, and cholestatic hepatitis. Among these, fulminant viral hepatitis is the most severe form, characterized by extensive liver cell death—sometimes affecting more than 50% or even up to 70% of the liver tissue.

Patients with this condition often experience extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal distension, bleeding tendencies, ascites, and symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy such as confusion or altered consciousness. The severity of the illness makes treatment extremely challenging, and the mortality rate is notably high. Therefore, individuals diagnosed with fulminant hepatitis require urgent medical attention.

There are several known triggers for the development of fulminant viral hepatitis. For instance, individuals who contract hepatitis B but delay treatment or continue to strain their bodies through overwork, lack of sleep, alcohol consumption, or secondary infections are at higher risk. Additionally, women who become pregnant on top of an existing hepatitis B infection and fail to monitor their liver function regularly may experience a worsening of their condition due to increased liver stress and insufficient antiviral therapy.

Prevention is key in avoiding the progression to fulminant hepatitis. Patients should seek timely medical care, follow medical advice, avoid harmful behaviors, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Regular monitoring and early intervention can significantly reduce the risk of developing this life-threatening complication.