What is Hepatitis?

Hepatitis B

Infection with hepatitis B is usually acute, or short-term, but it can become chronic — especially in children.Long-term complications, such as liver cancer or cirrhosis, can affect around 15–25% of people with chronic hepatitis B. There is no cure, but treatment can help manage the condition.The CDC estimate that in the U.S., around 862,000 people are currently living with hepatitis B.

The virus can transmit through:

• having unprotected sexual intercourse
• sharing needles
• having a tattoo with unsterilized needles
• sustaining accidental skin pricks with medical equipment
• sharing personal items, such as a toothbrush or razor
• breastfeeding, if the mother has the virus