Hepatitis B re-activated by Harvoni treatment?

[Cowgirl062]

I just read that there are some cases of hepatitis B, been reactivated by harvoni treatment is this true? What should I be watching for? I am six weeks into Harvoni treatment. No hep c virus detected after 4 weeks. 

[Gaj]

Hi Cowgirl, this is only a problem if you have previously had HBV and were unable to clear it and developed 'chronic' HBV. Here is an earlier post I made on this subject.

http://forums.hepmag.com/index.php?topic=4494.msg46077#msg46077

[Lynn K]

Hi Cowgirl

Were you ever infected with hepatitis B? If not then this is not a concern for you.

[Cowgirl062]

Yes, I was infected with hep b but it cleared. I carry the antibodies.

[Cowgirl062]

Thanks Gaj I'll check out your previous post!

[Lynn K]

Ok then so from the link Gaj posted

Gaj posted

Not an expert and just repeating what I have been told but apparently there are four tests for HBV.

1) Hep B surface antibodies
2) Hep B core antibodies
3) Hep B Surface Antigen
4) Hep B DNA PCR

The group of people at risk are those who have 2) Hep B core antibodies but do not have 1) Hep B surface antibodies. If you are in that group then you have chronic (dormant/inactive) HBV and are at slight risk of reactivation should you clear HCV. The numbers this has occurred to are very small but sufficient that the FDA have required a warning.

Most adults (~90%) who contract HBV will clear it naturally and become immune. If that happens you will have both 1) and 2) antibodies and are not chronic (dormant/inactive). I assume that most who have chronic HBV would have been informed of that by their doctors but it should be easy to check if you aren't sure. 


But to be totally sure always ask your doctor