Since a proportion of patients with Acute Viral Hepatitis-B develop severe hepatitis and fulminant hepatic failure, it is logical to believe that a rapid reduction in the HBV DNA levels by using antiviral agents could result in a less intense host response against the hepatitis B virus. However, the experience with lamivudine treatment of immunocompetent patients with AVH-B is limited.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy, utility and safety of lamivudine in treating immunocompetent patients with AVH-B.