Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects your liver. It causes inflammation in your liver tissues, which is what “hepatitis” means. It begins as an acute infection that’s usually short-lived. But in some people, it turns into a chronic infection that never goes away.

Long-term inflammation does serious damage to your liver over time. It can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure. Like other chronic liver diseases, hepatitis B infection can do this damage without causing symptoms. Many people don’t realize they’re infected.

Why is it called “hepatitis B”?

There are several different viruses that can infect your liver and cause inflammation (hepatitis). They include hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. Each is a little different in how they’re transmitted, how they affect your body and how they’re treated (or prevented).

What distinguishes hepatitis B from other hepatitis viruses?

Some distinguishing features of hepatitis B include:

• Hepatitis B has a safe and effective vaccine that makes it preventable. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends vaccination for all children as soon as possible after birth.
• Hepatitis B disproportionately affects children. Only 5% of adults who are infected go on to develop a chronic infection, but 30% of children under the age of 6 do.
• As hepatitis B spreads through bodily fluids, birthing parents can infect their babies at birth. Up to 90% of infants infected with hepatitis B develop a chronic infection.
• Chronic hepatitis B is treatable, but not curable. Antiviral medications can help control the infection, but you’ll have to take special care of your liver for the rest of your life.

How common is hepatitis B infection?

Hepatitis B is the most common liver infection in the world. As many as 2 billion people (or 1 in 3) have been infected worldwide. Approximately 250 million people worldwide are living with chronic hepatitis B infection, many unaware.

It’s less common in the U.S. than in some other places, thanks to the vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates approximately 20,000 new acute infections occur in the U.S. each year. An estimated 862,000 people in the U.S. are living with chronic hepatitis B.