[Treatment of chronic viral hepatitis]

The activity of the inflammatory process in chronic viral hepatitis is conditioned by active replication of the virus in hepatocytes. The objective of treatment of chronic viral hepatitis is to arrest the virus replication, or preferably complete elimination. In recent years the first place in the treatment of chronic hepatitis was occupied by interferons, in particular interferon alpha. The course of the disease can be favourably influenced by treatment with interferon alpha in the half of patients with chronic active hepatitis B and in approximately one quarter of patients with chronic active hepatitis C. Treatment of chronic viral hepatitis in the author's department has been provided during the last three years and the achieved results are consistent with data in the literature.