Hi, How are you?
I am so sorry to hear the patients diagnosis. As I understand the patient has developed
cirrhosis as a result of
hepatitis B infection. Cirrhosis by itself does not cause any symptoms in the early stages, but when it gets complicated by
portal hypertension, it leads to bleeding and fluid accumulation in the belly. Also when cirrhosis gets complicated by any infection, it can lead to
acute liver failure which is life threatening and will need emergency treatment. The severity of liver failure and the risk of death can be assessed using the MELD score. There are various websites which will allow you to calculate the score ( http://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/resources/MeldPeldCalculator.asp?index=98 )
The only treatment for someone in final stages of cirrhosis is liver transplant, provided the physical condition of the patient is fit enough to withstand the surgery. Most transplant centers (including ours) have developed protocols to treat and prevent hepatitis B in the transplanted liver. It involves infusion of protective
antibodies before and after the transplant and also anti-hepatitis b treatment for the rest of the patients life. The results have been good using these protocols.
I would advise you to consult with specialist centers at your place and get the patient evaluated for
liver transplantation.
I hope this helped and I hope your patient feels better. Please do not hesitate to contact me for further details esp regarding centers which offer liver transplantation - rxsuresh@gmail.com