Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). For most people, hepatitis B is short term, also called acute. Acute hepatitis B lasts less than six months. But for others, the infection lasts more than six months and is called chronic. Chronic hepatitis B raises the risk of liver failure, liver cancer and serious scarring of the liver called cirrhosis.

Most adults with hepatitis B recover fully, even if their symptoms are bad. Infants and children are more likely to develop a chronic, long-lasting hepatitis B virus infection.

A vaccine can prevent infection with the hepatitis B virus. For those who get infected, treatment depends on whether the infection is acute or chronic. Some people need medicine. Others with serious liver damage from a chronic infection need a liver transplant. If you’re infected, taking certain safety measures can help prevent spreading the virus to others.

Symptoms of acute hepatitis B range from mild to serious. The symptoms usually start about 1 to 4 months after you’ve been infected with HBV. But you could notice them as early as two weeks after you’re infected. Some people with acute or chronic hepatitis B may not have any symptoms, especially young children.

Hepatitis B symptoms may include:

When to see a doctor

If you know you’ve been exposed to the hepatitis B virus, call your healthcare professional right away. A preventive treatment may lower your risk of infection if you get the treatment within 24 hours of exposure to the virus.

If you think you have symptoms of hepatitis B, call your healthcare professional.

Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The virus passes from person to person through blood, semen or other body fluids. It does not spread by sneezing or coughing.

Common ways that HBV can spread are:

Acute versus chronic hepatitis B

HBV infection may be short-lived, also called acute. Or it might last a long time, also known as chronic.

The younger you are when you get hepatitis B, the higher your risk of the condition becoming chronic. That’s especially true for newborns or children younger than 5. Chronic hepatitis B may not be detected for decades until a person becomes very ill from liver disease.

The hepatitis B virus spreads through contact with blood, semen or other body fluids from an infected person. Your risk of HBV infection rises if you:

Having a chronic HBV infection can lead to serious health conditions called complications. These include:

The hepatitis B vaccine is the main way to prevent infection with HBV. The vaccine is given as two shots one month apart, or three or four shots over six months. How many shots you get depends on the type of hepatitis B vaccine that you’re given. You can’t get hepatitis B from the vaccine.

In the United States, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that infants get their first shot of the vaccine after they’re born. If you didn’t get vaccinated as a baby or child, the committee still recommends the vaccine for everyone through age 59. If you’re age 60 or older and haven’t gotten vaccinated, get the vaccine if you’re at risk of being exposed to the hepatitis B virus. People 60 and over who haven’t been vaccinated and are not at high risk also can choose to get the vaccine.

The hepatitis B vaccine is strongly recommended for:

Take safety measures to help prevent HBV infection

Other ways to lower your risk of infection with the hepatitis B virus include:

Diagnosis involves the steps that your healthcare professional takes to find out if you have hepatitis B. Your healthcare professional gives you a physical exam and looks for symptoms of liver damage. These symptoms can include yellowing skin and stomach pain. Tests that can help diagnose hepatitis B or its complications are:

Screening healthy people for hepatitis B

Healthcare professionals sometimes test certain healthy people for hepatitis B. This is called screening. Screening is done because HBV can damage the liver before the infection causes symptoms. Talk with your healthcare professional about screening for hepatitis B if you:

Treatment to prevent HBV infection after exposure

If you know you’ve been exposed to the hepatitis B virus, call a healthcare professional right away. It’s important to know if you’ve been vaccinated for hepatitis B. A healthcare professional asks you when you were exposed and what kind of exposure you had.

Medicine called immunoglobulin may help protect you from getting sick with hepatitis B. You need to receive a shot of the medicine within 24 hours of exposure to the hepatitis B virus. This treatment only provides short-term protection. So you also should get the hepatitis B vaccine at the same time if you never received it.

Treatment for acute HBV infection

You might not need treatment for an acute hepatitis B virus infection. The infection is short lived and most often it goes away on its own. A healthcare professional might recommend:

If your symptoms are severe, you may need antiviral medicines or a hospital stay to prevent complications.

Treatment for chronic HBV infection

Most people with chronic hepatitis B virus infection need treatment for the rest of their lives. The decision to start treatment depends on many factors, including whether:

Treatment helps lower the risk of liver disease and prevents you from passing the infection to others.

Treatment for chronic hepatitis B may include:

Other medicines to treat hepatitis B are being developed.

If you’ve been infected with the hepatitis B virus, take steps to protect others.

If you have hepatitis B, the following tips might help you cope:

You’re likely to start by seeing your family healthcare professional. You may be referred to a specialist right away. Doctors who specialize in treating hepatitis B include:

What you can do

Here’s some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

For hepatitis B, some basic questions to ask include:

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare professional is likely to ask you questions such as:

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