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Hepatitis B is a serious viral liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus. The infection can cause acute (short-term) illness, but for many, it becomes a chronic, lifelong infection that can lead to severe liver damage.
read more about hepatitis b ...The cause is the Hepatitis B virus. Transmission occurs through contact with infected blood, semen, or other body fluids. Common transmission routes include sexual contact, sharing needles, or from mother to child during birth. The virus is highly resilient and remains a major global public health concern.
Symptoms can range from none at all to severe acute illness. Acute symptoms include fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). Crucially, the body often fails to clear the virus, leading to chronic infection. This chronic state significantly increases the lifetime risk of developing cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Hepatitis B impacts eye health through jaundice during the acute or severe chronic phases. The damaged liver causes bilirubin to build up, leading to noticeable yellowing of the sclera (whites of the eyes). Jaundice is a late-stage sign, indicating that the liver's filtering function is severely impaired.
Vaccination is the most effective prevention strategy. The Hepatitis B vaccine is highly effective and recommended for newborns and high-risk adults. Avoiding sharing needles and practicing safe sexual contact are also necessary prevention methods.
Management involves antiviral medications to suppress the virus and reduce the risk of liver damage. There is currently no cure for chronic Hepatitis B, so treatment focuses on controlling the virus and monitoring the liver for signs of disease progression.
No, there is currently no cure, but antiviral medications can effectively manage the virus and prevent liver scarring (cirrhosis).
Yes, the Hepatitis B vaccine is highly effective and provides long-term protection against the infection.
No, 95% of adults clear the virus. However, infection in infants is 90% likely to become a lifelong chronic condition.
If you have chronic Hep B, you must have regular liver ultrasounds to screen for liver cancer. Rarely, Hepatitis B is associated with "Retinal Vasculitis" (inflammation of blood vessels in the eye). See an eye doctor for any new "floaters" or blurred vision.
CDC. Hepatitis B Basics (cdc.gov). 2025.
WHO. Hepatitis B Fact Sheet (who.int). 2024.
Mayo Clinic. Hepatitis B Symptoms (mayoclinic.org). 2024.
StatPearls. Hepatitis B (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). 2024.