[New aspects of therapy and prophylaxis of virus hepatitis (author's transl)]

The etiology of viral hepatitis is well known, since the hepatitis A virus and the hepatitis B virus were detected. There is, however, no specific treatment of the disease. Steroids should not be used, since a therapeutical value in viral hepatitis is not definitely proven and since they may contribute to the development of chronic hepatitis. The application of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG), interferon or interferon inducers in hepatitis B infections has yielded some interesting results, which, however, do not yet justify general recommendations for therapeutical use. Specific preventive measures against viral hepatitis B have been rendered possible by demonstration of HBS-Ag. In selected cases the application of standard gamma-globulin or HBIG is recommended for prophylaxis of viral hepatitis A or viral hepatitis B, respectively. Active immunization against hepatitis B is still in an experimental stage.