Hepatitis B: What Should I Do Next? — Animated Booklet

I Tested Positive for Hepatitis B — What Should I Do Next?

An animated 8-page guide. Turn the page with the buttons, the dots, or your arrow keys.

I Tested Positive for Hepatitis B.
What Should I Do Next?

A positive test is not the end of the story — it is the beginning of protecting your liver before complications develop.

🔎 Take a breath. The next few steps — confirming what the test means, getting the right blood work, and seeing a specialist — are all straightforward and well understood.

Hepatitis Can't Wait. ›

Don't Panic — Confirm What the Test Means

A positive HBsAg test means the Hepatitis B virus is present in your body.

The next question is whether this is:

📅
Acute (recent) infection — often clears on its own.
⏱️
Chronic infection — the virus has been present for more than 6 months.

Hepatitis Can't Wait. ›

See a Liver Specialist

Your doctor will usually order tests to understand:

🩸
HBV Viral Load (HBV DNA): how much virus is in the blood.
🧬
HBeAg: how active the infection is.
🧪
Liver Function Tests (ALT, AST): check for liver inflammation.
🖥️
Ultrasound or FibroScan: looks for liver damage or scarring.
🔬
Other blood tests: to evaluate overall liver health.

Hepatitis Can't Wait. ›

Understand That Not Everyone Needs Treatment

Some people with chronic Hepatitis B have:
Low viral levels · Normal liver tests · No significant liver damage.

In such cases, regular monitoring may be all that is needed.

Others may need antiviral treatment if they have:
High viral load · Abnormal liver tests · Liver scarring (fibrosis/cirrhosis) · Strong family history of liver cancer.

Hepatitis Can't Wait. ›

If Treatment Is Needed, Effective Medicines Are Available

Modern antiviral tablets such as Entecavir, Tenofovir (TDF), or Tenofovir (TAF) can:

🛡️
Strongly suppress the virus
🫀
Reduce liver inflammation
📉
Lower the risk of cirrhosis
🎗️
Reduce the risk of liver cancer

These medicines are usually taken once daily and are generally very effective.

Hepatitis Can't Wait. ›

Protect Your Family

One of the first things to do: get close family members tested.

💞
Spouse / Partner
🧒
Children
👵
Parents and Siblings

If they are not protected, they should receive the Hepatitis B vaccine, which is safe and highly effective.

Hepatitis Can't Wait. ›

Know What Does NOT Spread Hepatitis B

You cannot spread Hepatitis B through:

🚫🤗
Hugging
🚫🤝
Handshakes
🚫🍽️
Sharing meals
🚫🍳
Cooking food
🚫🤧
Coughing or sneezing

This matters because many patients experience unnecessary fear and stigma.

Hepatitis Can't Wait. ›

Avoid Additional Liver Damage

Until you have been fully evaluated:

🍷
Avoid or minimize alcohol
🌿
Do not take herbal supplements without medical advice
⚖️
Maintain a healthy weight
🩺
Control diabetes, cholesterol, and fatty liver if present

Hepatitis Can't Wait. ✓

1 / 8

I Tested Positive for Hepatitis B — What Should I Do Next?