Hepatitis B and Acute Liver Failure

Hepatitis B can cause liver failure from both an acute infection and reactivation. Reactivation of hepatitis B has been associated with the use of direct-acting antivirals to treat hepatitis C and immunosuppressive therapies. This article discusses hepatitis B, acute liver failure, treatment, and supportive care. Liver transplantation is often the only option for patients with acute liver failure due to hepatitis B. Assessing for hepatitis B exposure and providing the hepatitis B vaccine will reduce the number of acute liver failure cases related to chronic hepatitis B.