Hepatitis B Health Article

Definition

Hepatitis B is inflammation (irritation and swelling) of the liver due to the hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Other types of hepatitis include:

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis C
• Hepatitis D

See also:

• Autoimmune hepatitis
• Chronic persistent hepatitis
• Drug-induced hepatitis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The hepatitis B virus spreads through blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and other body fluids.

Infection can occur if you have:

• Blood transfusions
• Contact with blood in health care settings
• Had direct contact with the blood of an infected person by touching an open wound or being stuck with a needle
• Had unprotected sex with an infected person
• Received a tattoo or acupuncture with contaminated instruments
• Shared needles during drug use
• Shared personal items (such as toothbrushes, razors, and nail clippers) with an infected person

The hepatitis B virus can be passed to an infant during childbirth if the mother is infected.

Other risk factors for hepatitis B infection include:

• Being born, or having parents who were born in regions with high infection rates (including Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean)
• Having multiple sex partners
• Men having sex with men
• Being on hemodialysis
• Being infected with HIV

Hepatitis B infections may be acute or chronic.

• Acute hepatitis B is the 3 - 6 month period after becoming infected.
• Chronic hepatitis B is when the hepatitis B virus remains in a person's body. These people are considered to be carriers of hepatitis B, even if they do not have any symptoms.

Most of the damage from the hepatitis B virus is due to the body's response to the infection. When the body's immune system detects the infection, it sends out special cells to fight it off. However, these disease-fighting cells can lead to liver inflammation.

Symptoms

Many people who have chronic hepatitis B have few or no symptoms. They may not even look sick. As a result, they may not know they are infected. However, they can still spread the virus to other people.

Symptoms may not appear for up to 6 months after the time of infection. Early symptoms may include:

• Appetite loss
• Fatigue
• Low-grade fever
• Muscle and joint aches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Yellow skin and dark urine due to jaundice

People with chronic hepatitis may have no symptoms, even though gradual liver damage may be occurring. They may have some or all of the symptoms of acute hepatitis.