View Main Condition: Hepatitis
Hepatitis B is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the liver due to infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV).
Other types of viral hepatitis include hepatitis A, hepatitis C, and hepatitis D.
You can catch hepatitis B infection through contact with the blood or body fluids (semen, vaginal fluids, and saliva) of a person who has the virus.
Exposure may occur:
People who may be at risk for hepatitis B are those who:
All blood used for blood transfusions is screened, so the chance of getting the virus in this way is very small.
After you first become infected with the HBV:
Symptoms of hepatitis B may not appear for up to 6 months after the time of infection. Early symptoms include:
Symptoms will go away in a few weeks to months if your body is able to fight off the infection. Some people never get rid of the HBV. This is called chronic hepatitis B.
People with chronic hepatitis may not have symptoms and may not know they are infected. Over time, they may develop symptoms of liver damage and cirrhosis of the liver.
You can spread the HBV to other people, even if you have no symptoms.
Acute hepatitis, unless severe, needs no treatment. Liver and other body functions are watched using blood tests. You should get plenty of bed rest, drink plenty of fluids, and eat healthy foods.
Some people with chronic hepatitis may be treated with antiviral drugs. These medicines can decrease or remove hepatitis B from the blood. One of the medicines is an injection called interferon. They also help to reduce the risk for cirrhosis and liver cancer.
It is not always clear which people with chronic hepatitis B should receive drug therapy and when it should be started. You are more likely to receive these medicines if:
For these medicines to work best, you need to take them as instructed by your provider. Ask what side effects you can expect and what to do if you have them. Not everybody who needs to take these medicines responds well.
If you develop liver failure, you may be considered for a liver transplant. A liver transplant is the only cure in some cases of liver failure.
Other steps you can take:
Severe liver damage or cirrhosis can be caused by hepatitis B.
Man-fung Yuen practices in Hongkong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Yuen is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Hepatitis B. They are also highly rated in 13 other conditions, according to our data. Their top areas of expertise are Hepatitis B, Hepatitis, Liver Cancer, Cirrhosis, and Liver Transplant.
Fabien Zoulim is a Hepatologist in Lyon, France. Zoulim is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Hepatitis B. He is also highly rated in 9 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Hepatitis B, Hepatitis, Hepatitis D, Hepatitis C, and Liver Transplant.
Maria Buti is a Hepatologist in Barcelona, Spain. Buti is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Hepatitis B. She is also highly rated in 12 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Hepatitis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis D, and Liver Transplant.
More information and support for people with HBV condition and their families can be found by joining a support group. Ask your provider about liver disease resources and support groups in your area.
The acute illness most often goes away after 2 to 3 weeks. The liver most often returns to normal within 4 to 6 months in most people.
Almost all newborns and about one half of children who get hepatitis B develop the chronic condition. Very few adults who get the virus develop chronic hepatitis B.
There is a much higher rate of liver cancer in people who have chronic hepatitis B.
Call your provider if:
Children and people at high risk for hepatitis B should get the hepatitis B vaccine.
The hepatitis B vaccine or a hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) shot may help prevent infection if you receive it within 24 hours of contact with the virus.
Measures to avoid contact with blood and body fluids can help prevent the spread of hepatitis B from person-to-person.
Summary: Multicenter, Open-label, Randomized Controlled Trial Male and female adults with liver cirrhosis due to chronic hepatitis B virus infection who have low-level viremia and are beyond treatment indications by current guidelines. To assess the efficacy of Tenofovir Alafenamide (TAF) in reducing liver-related events (hepatocellular carcinoma, liver-related events and death, decompensated liver cirrhos...
Background: People who were born outside of the country are the largest group of adults infected with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the US. HBV affects the liver. If not treated, HBV infection can lead to serious liver disease, including cancer. One recent study showed that only 35% of foreign-born US adults were aware of their HBV infections. Foreign-born US adults may also have trouble getting proper c...
Published Date: February 06, 2022
Published By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Robinson CL, Bernstein H, Poehling K, Romero JR, Szilagyi P. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended immunization schedules for children and adolescents aged 18 years or younger -- United States, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2020;69(5):130-132. PMID: 32027628. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32027628/.
Tang LSY, Covert E, Wilson E, Kottilil S. Chronic hepatitis B infection: a review. JAMA. 2018;319(17):1802-1813 PMID: 29715359 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29715359/.
Terrault NA, Bzowej NH, Chang KM, Hwang JP, Jonas MM, Murad MH; American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. AASLD guidelines for treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Hepatology. 2016;63(1):261-283. PMID: 26566064 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26566064/.