The virus is transmitted by exposure to infectious blood or body fluids. Most of those with chronic disease have no symptoms however, cirrhosis and liver cancer eventually develop in about 25% of those with chronic HBV. About 90% of those infected during or shortly after birth develop chronic hepatitis B, while less than 10% of those infected after the age of five develop chronic cases. The likelihood of developing chronic hepatitis B is higher for those who are infected with HBV at a younger age. An HBV infection lasting longer than six months is usually considered chronic. Deaths resulting from acute stage HBV infections are rare. Symptoms during acute infection typically last for a few weeks, though some people may feel sick for up to six months. For others, symptoms may appear 30 to 180 days after becoming infected and can include a rapid onset of sickness with nausea, vomiting, yellowish skin, fatigue, dark urine, and abdominal pain. Many people have no symptoms during an initial infection.

It can cause both acute and chronic infection.

Hepatitis B is an infectious disease caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) that affects the liver it is a type of viral hepatitis. Intravenous drug use, sexual intercourse, dialysis, living with an infected person Īntiviral medication ( tenofovir, interferon), liver transplantation Ĩ20,000 resulting from hepatitis B (2019) Hepatitis B virus spread by some body fluids Symptoms may take up to 6 months to appear None, yellowish skin, tiredness, dark urine, abdominal pain

Hep b transmission to baby