STIs

Hepatitis B

Alsohep BHBVhepatitis B viruschronic hepatitis B

Not yet reviewed by a clinician. This health entry was written from the public-health sources listed below and is general information only. It is not medical advice.

Definition

Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver spread through blood and sexual fluids; it can be prevented with a vaccine.

At a glance

  • Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver.
  • It spreads through blood and sexual fluids, and from parent to baby at birth.
  • Most adults clear the virus within months, while infants are more likely to develop long-term infection.
  • Chronic hepatitis B can lead to liver scarring and liver cancer over many years.
  • A safe, effective vaccine prevents it.

In detail

The hepatitis B virus passes on through sex without a condom, shared needles, and from parent to baby at birth. Adults who catch it usually clear it within months, while infants are more likely to develop long-term infection.

Chronic hepatitis B can lead to liver scarring and liver cancer over many years. It is diagnosed with a blood test, and long-term antiviral treatment can control it.

A safe, effective vaccine is part of routine childhood immunisation in most countries and is offered to adults at higher risk.

In a sentence

  • The sexual health clinic offered him a hepatitis B blood test and vaccination.
  • Her blood test showed she was immune to hepatitis B from her childhood vaccines.

Where the word comes from

"Hepatitis" combines the Greek "hepar" (liver) with "-itis" (inflammation).

Not to be confused with

  • Hepatitis C

    Hepatitis C is a different virus that is mostly spread through blood and has no vaccine, but can be cured.

Common questions

Is hepatitis B an STI?

It can be. Hepatitis B passes on through sex without a condom, as well as through shared needles and from parent to baby at birth. Vaccination is the most effective protection.

Can hepatitis B be cured?

Most adults clear the virus within months. Long-term (chronic) hepatitis B cannot usually be cured, but antiviral treatment can control it. A doctor or clinic can advise on testing and vaccination.

Related terms

Sources

  1. WHOHepatitis B fact sheet
  2. NHSHepatitis B
  3. Planned ParenthoodHepatitis B