Disease or Syndrome
hepatitis B
hep·a·ti·tis B
Subclass of:
Hepadnaviridae Infections;
Hepatitis, Viral, Human;
Blood-Borne Infections
Also called:
HBV
Definitions related to hepatitis b:
-
Hepatitis caused by hepatitis B virus; one method of transmission is by transfusion of contaminated blood or blood products.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
-
INFLAMMATION of the LIVER in humans caused by a member of the ORTHOHEPADNAVIRUS genus, HEPATITIS B VIRUS. It is primarily transmitted by parenteral exposure, such as transfusion of contaminated blood or blood products, but can also be transmitted via sexual or intimate personal contact.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
-
Your liver is the largest organ inside your body. It helps your body digest food, store energy, and remove poisons. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. One type, hepatitis B, is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B spreads by contact with an infected person's blood, semen, or other body fluid. An infected woman can give hepatitis B to her baby at birth. If you get HBV, you may feel as if you have the flu. You may also have jaundice, a yellowing of skin and eyes, dark-colored urine, and pale bowel movements. Some people have no symptoms at all. A blood test can tell if you have it. HBV usually gets better on its own after a few months. If it does not get better, it is called chronic HBV, which lasts a lifetime. Chronic HBV can lead to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver failure, or liver cancer. There is a vaccine for HBV. It requires three shots. All babies should get the vaccine, but older children and adults can get it too. If you travel to countries where Hepatitis B is common, you should get the vaccine. NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesMedlinePlusU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
-
(hepatitis b infection) A viral infection caused by the hepatitis B virus.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
-
Hepatitis B is a worldwide healthcare problem, especially in developing areas. An estimated one third of the global population has been infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV).WebMD, 2019
-
Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). For some people, hepatitis B infection becomes chronic, meaning it lasts more than six months. Having chronic hepatitis B increases your risk of developing liver failure, liver cancer or cirrhosis - a condition that permanently scars of the liver.Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
-
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a DNA virus transmitted by percutaneous and permucosal routes. HBV infection is also a sexually transmitted disease. Infection may result in a self-limited disease requiring no treatment, particularly in adult-acquired infection, but it may also result in a chronically infected state, particularly if it is...Athenahealth, Inc., 2019
-
Hepatitis B, infectious disease of the liver, the causative agent of which is known as hepatitis B virus (HBV). The course and severity of illness associated with HBV infection varies widely. Some persons are asymptomatic, for example, whereas others experience acute illness and eliminate the virus...Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020
Return to OpenMD Medical Dictionary
> H
This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.