re hepatitis b in article apr dosgate russell sinclair day canrem com russell sinclair day writes what we are really worried about is not knowing the facts the doctor has stated that things will not be good if she is a carrier and avoids further questions on the subject we really would like to know so we can take steps and plan in advance for any eventualities thank you for your very informative post right now i am just trying to find out everything that i can russ unfortunately hep b infection can eventuate in chronic hepatitis and subsequent cirrhosis although not many patients with hep b go on to chronic hepatitis it does still occur in a good number and is something to keep in mind hepatitis c was non a non b hep much more frequently leads to chronic hep and cirrhosis there is also an autimmune chronic hepatitis that affects mostly younger women which also leads to cirrhosis of course cirrhosis is a most unkind disease the most dangerous effects relate to portal hypertension and loss of liver function patients develop life threatening variceal bleeds and hepatic comas among many other problems as a result of disturbances in hepatic circulation less ominously they can exhibit the effects of hyperestrogenemia which often characterize patients with cirrhosis these effects include telangiactasias small red skin lesions and in men gynecomastia breast development the only real treatment for cirrhosis is liver transplant keep in mind that cirrhosis is not expected at least statistically in your friend s case nevertheless you might want to bring up the subject of chronic disease and cirrhosis with the doctor hopefully he or she can then carefully explain these sequelae of hep b infection to you and offer you support simon
