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8 Further Indications
8.3.6 Hepatitis
Description
■ Seropositive hepatitis A:
– transmitted by fecal-oral/oral fecal route (sexual contact, contaminated food)
– incubation period: approximately 15–20 days
– symptoms, course of disease: predominantly debility and general symptoms of infec-
tion; generally complete recovery, chronicity is very rare; tests will remain seroposi-
tive; vaccination possible
■ Seropositive hepatitis B:
– mostly parenteral transmission (e.g. blood transfusion, used syringes); but also oral-
fecal route (sexual contact)
– incubation period: approximately 50–180 days
– symptoms and course of disease: during the acute stage primarily debility and un-
specific symptoms of infection, only rarely jaundice; vaccination possible; can be fa-
tal (1 %), can become chronic (cirrhosis of the liver)
■ Seropositive hepatitis C:
– mostly parenteral transmission (e.g. blood transfusion, used syringes); but also oral/
fecal route (sexual contact)
– incubation period: approximately 40–85 days
– symptoms and course of disease: during the acute stage primarily debility and un-
specific symptoms of infection, only rarely jaundice; can become chronic (cirrhosis
of the liver); currently no vaccination available
Point Prescription
The same treatment protocol applies to all forms of hepatitis. For aggressive cases of hepati-
tis B and C TCM is a beneficial complementary therapy
French points
■ Local point:
Liver
(
›
6.4.1)
■ Defense against infection:
Thymus
(
›
6.6.1),
Interferon
(
›
6.7.3),
Infection Axis
(
›
6.12.4)
■ Stabilising points:
Point Zero
(
›
6.10.3),
Laterality Point
(
›
6.8.6)
Chinese points
■ Local points:
Hepatitis Point (61)
(
›
6.4.7),
Liver I (76)
,
Liver II (77)
(
›
6.4.3),
Liver
(97)
(
›
6.4.1)
Acupuncture can boost the immune response but it has no effect on the infectivity. Pa-
tient education is therefore crucial (e.g. transmission through sexual intercourse!).
Treatment Intervals
■
Hepatitis A, B and C
, acute stage: 2–3 times weekly until symptoms have disappeared
■
Hepatitis B and C
, chronic stage: 2–4 times monthly, generally for several years
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