A 27-year-old woman, gravida 1 para 0, presents to her obstetrician at 12 weeks of gestation for routine prenatal care. She has no significant medical history and reports feeling well, with no symptoms of fatigue, jaundice, or abdominal pain. Her family history is notable for hepatitis B in her mother. As part of routine prenatal testing, the patient’s hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is found to be positive. Further tests reveal the following: HBeAg: Positive HBV DNA Levels: 1,000,000 IU/mL Liver Function Tests: Normal (ALT and AST within normal limits). Which medication is considered safe and effective for reducing maternal viral load in hepatitis B-positive pregnant women?
