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mindray.comWhat is hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. It can cause long lasting liver damage. Hepatitis B can be acute or chronic. If a person has acute hepatitis B, the virus makes them sick for a short time (less than 6 months), then their body clears the virus and they recover.
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 hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver. Symptoms of hepatitis B include dark urine, nausea and fatigue. However, many people have no symptoms at all. Hepatitis B infection can be either acute (when the illness lasts for less than 6 months), or chronic (the illness lasts for longer than 6 months).
What does acute hepatitis B mean?
Acute hepatitis B means the virus might make you sick for a short time but then you get better. Some people with acute hepatitis B naturally get rid of the virus. Chronic hepatitis B means you will have the virus for life. You may not feel sick, but over time it could damage your liver so it does not work well.
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