New hepatitis C treatments are showing good results in phase II clinical trials. For those of you not familiar with the phases of clinical trials, let me explain. When a company develops a new drug, before it can be sold to patients, the company must conduct specific tests called clinical trials. These trials show that the drug is safe and effective.

Clinical trials are made up of four phases, I-IV, with each phase designed to provide more information. A phase I trial tests the drug in a small group of people (usually less than 100) in order to find out basic dosing, side effects and safety information. A phase II trial tests the drug in a larger group of people (usually a couple hundred) and focuses on its effectiveness and safety. A phase III trial tests the drug in a much larger group of people (usually over one thousand) and continues to build up scientific data for how the drug is best used. A phase IV trial is a study that collects even more information about the drug, but this trial usually happens after the drug is approved by the FDA.

So, two drugs for hepatitis C, one from Roche and one from Schering-Plough, are showing good results so far. These drugs are being tested as part of a combination with other established drugs, peginterferon and ribavirin. We'll need to see how they perform in the remaining trials.

Want to know more about the latest hepatitis drugs and treatments? Start with my Hepatitis Research page for general information.

Image courtesy of Andrzej Gdula/Stock.xchng

Infection from the hepatitis B virus is usually not much of a problem for adults. The symptoms are relatively mild and most people will get completely better by themselves. Some folks won't even realize they've been infected.

Unfortunately, for kids this infection plays out in a very different way. About 90% of infants infected with hepatitis B virus at birth will develop chronic hepatitis B. The risk decreases as children get older, but it is still significant. Somewhere between 20% and 50% of children with acute hepatitis B will progress to the chronic form of the disease. Compare these numbers with the much lower risks of teens and adults: less than 10% will progress from acute to chronic infection.

It has been estimated that as many as one-third of Americans with chronic hepatitis B infection were infected as infants or young children. With risks like these, clearly hepatitis B is a serious problem for our nation's children. This is why all infants should be vaccinated with hepatitis B vaccine before they leave the hospital. For most people, hepatitis B infection is a minor problem. For infants, it is often a life-long complication.

For more information about hepatitis B disease and prevention, read my article Viral Hepatitis B Infection.

People frequently ask me about what I think of alternative medicine, and especially how it relates to hepatitis. Recently I wrote about four points to consider for those interested in alternative treatments: Treating Hepatitis With Alternative Medicine.

Since these types of treatments are very popular, I wanted to get more specific and talk about some individual treatments that really don't have any solid research for support. Because of this lack of effectiveness, I think people should avoid them--at least until more studies have been completed: Four Natural Remedies That Won't Cure Hepatitis.

I know that hepatitis can be rough, and the treatment, when available, is difficult. But don't waste your money or delay conventional treatment when there's no good reason to think an alternative therapy is worthwhile. For more information on conventional treatments, check out Overview of Hepatitis Treatment.

Acute liver failure is probably one of the most devastating consequences of viral hepatitis. It's when the liver starts shutting down faster than it can repair itself. This is a medical emergency that leads to a series of complications that quickly affect other parts of the body beyond the liver. Fortunately, this condition is extremely rare, but it seems to occur most frequently with hepatitis B and, to a lesser degree, hepatitis A.

Once liver failure kicks in, there's not much doctors can do except try to slow its progression and prepare the patient for a liver transplantation, if he or she is a candidate for such a procedure. Unfortunately, this isn't always possible because of organ shortages or existing health conditions. Clearly the best solution is to prevent viral hepatitis.

Acute liver failure is just one complication of many that develop from hepatitis. Read about nine others.

The treatment for chronic hepatitis is hard because the side-effects of the drugs are rough. Because of this, some people are interested in "natural" medicine as a treatment alternative. They reason that natural treatments are easier for the body. Perhaps, but are they hard enough on the hepatitis?

I think people should consider some basic points before choosing alternative medicine for anything, not just hepatitis: Simple isn't always better; Natural isn't always safer; Relatives aren't always right; and Alternative isn't always alternative.

To find out more about these points and why people with hepatitis need to know about them, check out my new article on alternative medicine.

Hepatitis seems simple to understand. A little liver inflammation that might turn chronic, a few blood tests and some treatment, and everything is fine, right?

Not so fast, because hepatitis has an uglier side. Sometimes things don't play out so easily and the disease develops additional complications. To learn more about this, check out my article on ten complications.

Everyone has a story to share and I'm interested in hearing your story about hepatitis. If you're interested in participating in an email interview about your experience with hepatitis that may be featured in a future article on this site, then please email me at hepatitis.guide@about.com.

I think your story can be of great support to those going through similar experiences and support is a key part of living your life to the fullest. Of course there's probably a support group near you. To learn more about possible groups, check out my hepatitis community page.

Hepatitis B infection is the leading cause of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis in the world. Here in the States, about 1.5 million people are infected with the virus.

It's a problem that's easily solved because there is a vaccine for hepatitis B. It's safe and effective and absolutely appropriate for children. It's important that children are vaccinated because the risk of chronic infection from the hepatitis B virus is higher in children than adults.

Interested in learning more about hepatitis B? Check out my new article, "Viral Hepatitis B Infection."

Researchers have noted in a new study that blacks were less than half as likely as whites to receive antiviral treatment for hepatitis C. In addition, blacks were less likely to have complete laboratory evaluation.

This recently released study, available online from the American Journal of Public Health, looked at old medical records from eight Veterans Affairs medical centers. Interestingly, both blacks and whites had similar chances of specialist referral and liver biopsy.

I applaud studies such as this because this is the first step in trying to figure out why such discrepancies exist. Because the study was done using VA records and patients, finances are probably not the reason. Whatever the reason, I think it deserves a closer look.

Gregg Allman, founding member of the rock and roll Allman Brothers Band, reportedly is temporarily unable to play with the band because of receiving hepatitis C treatment. The band has canceled several future concert dates.

Readers of my blog will know that I have tremendous respect for people who choose to publicize their hepatitis status because I think this is a key step in educating the public about hepatitis and helping reduce stigma.

In Mr. Allman's case, this news is even more helpful because it illustrates the difficulty of hepatitis treatment. The treatment for hepatitis C can be challenging, but it's necessary. To learn more about treatments, check out An Overview of Hepatitis Treatment.