Understanding Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Image credit: hepb.org

What is chronic hepatitis B?

Chronic hepatitis B occurs when the body cannot eliminate the hepatitis B virus following an acute infection. Having chronic (or lifelong) hepatitis B can increase a person’s risk of developing advanced liver disease, such as cirrhosis. Diagnosing chronic hepatitis B can require specialized tests.

What causes chronic hepatitis B?

The development of chronic infection is common in infants infected from their mothers or before the age of 5 years. Hepatitis B is also spread by needlestick injury, tattooing, piercing and exposure to infected blood and body fluids, such as saliva and menstrual, vaginal and seminal fluids.

What are the symptoms of chronic hepatitis B?

Many people with chronic hepatitis B do not experience lots of symptoms. If symptoms do appear, they can include: For those with chronic hepatitis B, new or worsening symptoms may be a sign of advanced liver disease. About 15– 25% of chronic hepatitis B infections can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

What Is Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hepatitis-b/symptoms-causes/syc-20366802
2. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/chronic-hep-b
3. https://www.hepb.org/what-is-hepatitis-b/what-is-hepb/acute-vs-chronic/
4. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-b
5. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hepatitis-b
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553697/
7. https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2013/july/chronic-hepatitis-b/
8. https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/Hepatitis_B.aspx
9. https://liver.org.au/your-liver/liver-diseases/hepatitis-b/
10. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/viral-hepatitis/hepatitis-b

Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection Information

1. https://hepatitisb.org.au/treatment-of-chronic-hepatitis-b-virus-infection/
2. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HBV/PDFs/HepBGeneralFactSheet.pdf