Our niece 20 year old Thai girl was just diagnosed with hepatitis B. In Rayong hospital she was told that there is absolutely nothing that they can do. There is no medicine available in Thailand. Is this the truth or anybody has any suggestions what she can do?

You might want to read through this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hepatitis_B

If you read the above you will find out why they told her that - nothing can cure it and most people will clear the symptoms and live a normal life within weeks/months. For treatment of those with chronic conditions I am sure there are drugs available here to limit damage; but she would not seem to be in that position.

What you can do is take supplements to assist liver function. eg milk thistle, dandelion tea, complex B vitamins etc

I had hep B about 30 years ago and took quite a long while to fully recover.

The key here is to follow the blood tests to make sure that she develops full immunity over the next 4-6wks or so.

If she remains a carrier (search the Hep B carrier status blood results); treatment may be indicated much later if she proves to be an infective carrier..

The medications to treat this (Interferon) is available in Thailand but only indicated in a small number of cases.

She has about a 10% chance of remaining a carrier (incomplete immunity). Treatment now is purely supportive and symptomatic; lots of fresh fruit, vegetables etc. Patients in the acute phase is usually intolerant of meat and oily food. This can take 3-6mths to clear.

Hepatitis seems to be a pretty ignored disease until someone becomes infected. If you have not been vaccinated against hepatitis then you are taking a totally unnecessary risk in a country that the disease is endemic. If you don't know if you have been inoculated against the disease the next time you get a blood test they can test for the antigen and see if you are at risk or not.

See http://www.guidetoth...on/diseases.php for some insight.

It would be kind of you to let your Thai loved ones and acquaintances know the facts and if it is family be insistent on vaccination. Chances are they do not even know what it is.