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.