Liver transplantation is sometimes recommended for cases of cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. In those who develop chronic disease, antiviral medication such as tenofovir or interferon may be useful however, these drugs are expensive. During an initial infection, care is based on a person's symptoms. It is one of five main hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, D, and E. The diagnosis is usually confirmed by testing the blood for parts of the virus and for antibodies against the virus. The infection can be diagnosed 30 to 60 days after exposure. The hepatitis B viruses cannot be spread by holding hands, sharing eating utensils, kissing, hugging, coughing, sneezing, or breastfeeding. Tattooing and acupuncture led to a significant number of cases in the 1980s however, this has become less common with improved sterilization. Other risk factors include working in healthcare, blood transfusions, dialysis, living with an infected person, travel in countries with high infection rates, and living in an institution. In areas where the disease is rare, intravenous drug use and sexual intercourse are the most frequent routes of infection. In areas where the disease is common, infection around the time of birth or from contact with other people's blood during childhood are the most frequent methods by which hepatitis B is acquired. The virus is transmitted by exposure to infectious blood or body fluids. Most of those with chronic disease have no symptoms however, cirrhosis and liver cancer eventually develop in about 25% of those with chronic HBV. About 90% of those infected during or shortly after birth develop chronic hepatitis B, while less than 10% of those infected after the age of five develop chronic cases. The likelihood of developing chronic hepatitis B is higher for those who are infected with HBV at a younger age. An HBV infection lasting longer than six months is usually considered chronic. Deaths resulting from acute stage HBV infections are rare. Symptoms during acute infection typically last for a few weeks, though some people may feel sick for up to six months. For others, symptoms may appear 30 to 180 days after becoming infected and can include a rapid onset of sickness with nausea, vomiting, yellowish skin, fatigue, dark urine, and abdominal pain.

Many people have no symptoms during an initial infection.

It can cause both acute and chronic infection. Hepatitis B is an infectious disease caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) that affects the liver it is a type of viral hepatitis. Intravenous drug use, sexual intercourse, dialysis, living with an infected person Īntiviral medication ( tenofovir, interferon), liver transplantation Ĩ20,000 resulting from hepatitis B (2019) Hepatitis B virus spread by some body fluids Symptoms may take up to 6 months to appear None, yellowish skin, tiredness, dark urine, abdominal pain

Hep b transmission food