There are about 350 million people infected with chronic hepatitis B virus worldwide, and there are about 93 million in China. Many people talk about the “hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer trilogy”, but in fact, not all hepatitis B infected people will develop chronic hepatitis, and not all chronic hepatitis will develop cirrhosis and liver cancer. The overall goal of antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis B is to reduce the incidence of cirrhosis and liver cancer and to improve survival and quality of life. To achieve this goal, we must first understand the key point of antiviral treatment – HBeAg serological conversion, which is often referred to as “major triplet” (HBeAg positive) to “minor triplet” (HBeAg negative, HBeAb positive). The results of a study published in the international authoritative journal Liver in 2007 showed that the incidence of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in patients who achieved HBeAg serological conversion before the age of 40 was much lower than that in patients who achieved HBeAg serological conversion after the age of 40. The incidence of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma was much lower in patients who achieved HBeAg seroconversion before the age of 40 than in those who achieved it after the age of 40. This suggests that early HBeAg seroconversion plays a key role in achieving long-term treatment goals for patients. Currently, hepatitis B virus infection is internationally classified as: immune tolerant, i.e., active hepatitis B virus replication, mainly in the perinatal period from HBsAg/HBeAg-positive mothers, with positive serum HBsAg and HBeAg and high levels of HBV-DNA but normal liver function, when there is no or only mild inflammation in the liver; immune clearance: high levels of HBV-DNA, persistent serum transaminases or intermittent increase in serum transaminases and necroinflammation in the liver; immune control phase, i.e. HBeAg negative, HBeAb positive, low or undetectable HBV-DNA, when liver function is normal. In these three phases, the majority of hepatitis B virus carriers are in the immune tolerance phase, when the body is in a quiescent state and the hepatitis B virus has failed to cause any damage to the liver, while the immune control phase when the body’s immunity has reached suppression of the virus, therefore both phases are not in need of treatment unless the liver histology reaches the indications for antiviral therapy. In contrast, the immune clearance phase is the best period for treatment. In addition to the above three stages, hepatitis B virus infection can also occur in the reactive stage, most of which manifest as HBeAg negative and anti-HBe positive, but still have active HBV DNA replication and persistent or recurrent abnormal ALT. These patients can progress to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, decompensated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma; some patients can also develop F spontaneous HBsAg disappearance (with or without anti-HBs) and The prognosis is often good because HBV DNA is reduced or undetectable; a small number of patients in this stage can return to HBeAg-positive status. The 2010 edition of the Chinese Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B suggests that the general indications for antiviral therapy include: HBeAg-positive patients with HBV DNA ≥ 105 copies/ml; HBeAg-negative patients with HBV DNA ≥ 104 copies/ml and transaminases ≥ 2×ULN; if transaminases are < 2×ULN but there are liver histological indications, antiviral therapy is also required. What these indications reflect are some of the clinical manifestations of the immune clearance phase. The immune clearance phase is the appropriate time for antiviral therapy, when the body's immunity kicks in and recognizes and attempts to clear the hepatitis B virus. Antiviral therapy given during this period not only has a high rate of viral suppression, but also has a higher chance of achieving HBeAg. Starting treatment at the right time also requires attention to choosing the right medication. Current antiviral therapy drugs for chronic hepatitis B include two major classes of interferon alpha and nucleoside (acid) analogs. Compared to other treatments, long-acting interferon alpha not only has antiviral effects, but more importantly, it also has immunomodulatory effects and therefore can better stimulate the body's immune function and has a better chance of achieving durable HBeAg serological conversion. In conclusion, the treatment of chronic hepatitis B should be scientific, and once diagnosed, we should actively communicate with the hepatologist, follow the medical advice for follow-up and medication, and use the right treatment at the most suitable time for the right and best outcome.