Patient's question:
I saw some phrases like "people with poor liver function should not take this medication" on the instructions for certain drugs. For example, the package insert for azithromycin states that it can be harmful to people with liver problems. What should I do if I am a carrier of the hepatitis B virus? Please ask your doctor to explain this to me. Thank you!Doctor's answer:
In simple terms: After the hepatitis B virus enters the human body, it travels through the bloodstream and fuses with specific receptors on the liver cell membrane, entering the liver cells. Inside the infected liver cells, it replicates, packages, and matures before escaping the cells to infect surrounding healthy liver cells. This cycle repeats, causing widespread liver damage. This can lead to hepatitis, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer. How can preventive measures stop this inflammation: Pay attention to regular liver function tests and seek timely treatment if abnormalities are detected. Regarding hereditary transmission, timely vaccination with the hepatitis B vaccine after the baby is born can prevent it.