Hepatitis B virus

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a type of virus that infects the liver. It is a major global health problem and the most serious type of viral hepatitis. It can cause chronic liver disease and puts people at high risk of death from cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer.

Transmission

HBV is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person. It can also be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby at birth.

Symptoms

Most people do not experience any symptoms during the acute infection phase. However, some people have acute illness with symptoms that last several weeks, including yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), dark urine, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Prevention

A safe and effective vaccine that protects against HBV has been available since 1982. The vaccine is 95% effective in preventing infection and the development of chronic disease and liver cancer due to HBV.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for acute hepatitis B. However, chronic hepatitis B can be treated with drugs, including oral antiviral agents. Treatment can slow the progression of cirrhosis, reduce incidence of liver cancer and improve long term survival.

See also

• Hepatitis
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis C
• Liver cancer
• Cirrhosis of the liver

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