liver infection treatment - #17410
I am really worried about what’s been going on with my health lately. For the past few weeks, I've had this awful pain in my upper right abdomen, like, really sharp, and it gets worse when I eat. I thought it was just indigestion at first, but then I started feeling super fatigued and like, honestly a bit jaundiced? My skin has this yellow tint to it, and even my eyes, it's wild. I went to the doctor, and they mentioned something about a liver infection treatment, which freaked me out a bit. They did some blood tests and said there are elevated liver enzymes, but I don't really know what that means. They gave me a prescription, but I'm not sure if it's actually working cause the pain is still there, and I feel like I need to know more about this liver infection treatment thing. Like, what are the options out there? Is it something serious? Can lifestyle changes help? Ugh, I've just got a lot of questions. I read about herbal remedies, but I'm really not sure if that's safe with whatever liver infection treatment I'm on. Anyone have similar experiences or advice?
100% Anonymously
No sign-up needed.

Doctors' responses
Elevated liver enzymes can definitely point to inflammation or damage in the liver, and your symptoms with right upper abdominal pain and jaundice do suggest a need for a closer look at your liver health. When a doctor mentions liver infection, they might be considering something like hepatitis, which is a common infection affecting the liver. Treatments often depend on the specific type of infection. For viral hepatitis, such as hepatitis A, B, or C, management usually includes antiviral medications or medications to reduce liver inflammation. Each type of hepatitis has its own treatment protocol so it’s crucial for precise diagnosis through the specific blood tests your doctor mentioned.
Pain management and minimizing liver strain are key in treatment. It’s wise to avoid alcohol completely and watch out for medications that might affect liver health, like certain over-the-counter pain relievers (e.g., acetaminophen). Lifestyle changes, such as a balanced diet low in fats and high in fruits and vegetables, can promote liver health but they don’t replace medical treatment. Be cautious with herbal remedies; they can sometimes interact negatively with conventional treatments or worsen the liver’s condition, especially if not supervised by a professional.
Make sure you follow up with your doctor about whether the current treatment is still appropriate. If you’re not noticing an improvement, it might be worth evaluating adjustments or further tests to pinpoint the issue. It’s also important to get clarity from your healthcare provider about exactly what’s causing the elevated liver enzymes and ongoing symptoms. These could potentially be serious, so do ensure that any worsening of symptoms is communicated quickly to your doctor.
100% Anonymously
Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential. No sign-up needed.
About our doctors
Only qualified doctors who have confirmed the availability of medical education and other certificates of medical practice consult on our service. You can check the qualification confirmation in the doctor's profile.