The liver is the body's "general" that directs its energies, according to traditional Chinese medicine. Chronic hepatitis sufferers should be especially vigilant in spring because the general may need reinforcements, writes Zhang Qian.

Nature revives in spring, and so do some ailments, especially some infectious ones. Hepatitis B, a major public health problem in China, is on the top of the list.

Chronic sufferers should watch their diet, exercise regularly, get plenty of rest and maintain a positive outlook to prevent relapse.

"There are about 30 million sufferers of chronic hepatitis B in China and many people are hepatitis B virus carriers, though they may not have symptoms," says Dr Zhang Wei, director of the Hepatopathy Department of Longhua Hospital attached to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Hepatitis can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death.

Invading toxins, in this case viruses, are the cause of infectious diseases including hepatitis, according to TCM. When toxins invade the liver, pathogenic dampness and heat also grow in the organ.

Long-term inflammation results in blockage of energy channels and weak liver and spleen.

Hepatitis B cannot be cured, and can recur because of fatigue or in spring.

When yang energy grows vigorously in the universe, pathogenic dampness and heat also revive.

When hepatitis B strikes, patients usually suffer from vomiting, fatigue, bad appetite, jaundice, diarrhea, dark urine, and a low fever, says Dr Zhang. "But there are also cases of relapse in which the virus multiplies rapidly while the patient does not feel a thing."

Dr Zhang urges chronic hepatitis B patients to get regular medical checks, especially in spring.

To prevent relapse, getting enough sleep and maintaining a good mood is crucial. Fatigue and a bad mood will obstruct the flow of energy and blood in the liver and result in poor immunity against the virus.

They prevent regeneration of damaged liver cells and aggravate the problem.

Hepatitis patients should also avoid "hot" (yang) foods like mutton, leeks and longan in spring to avoid pathogenic heat. In addition, foods that burden the liver such as greasy, fried, or spicy foods and alcohol are to be avoided.

Apart from a good daily schedule and diet, hepatitis patients should be careful to avoid infections. Catching cold or getting diarrhea can cause a hepatitis relapse.

Physical exercise like jogging or badminton are recommended in general, but nothing exhausting.

In case of a relapse, patients should stay in bed.

(Shanghai Daily March 18, 2008)