Hepatitis B is one of the most common infectious diseases in the world,1 infecting approximately 2 billion people worldwide.2 It is a virus that infects the liver.
Hepatitis B infections are either acute or chronic. Acute hepatitis B can last from a few weeks to a few months.3 Most people with acute infection will fully recover and not have any lasting health problems.4
Chronic hepatitis B is more serious. A person with chronic hepatitis B may have the disease for life. Chronic hepatitis B can lead to more serious liver disease including liver cancer. Worldwide, approximately 350 million people are infected with chronic hepatitis B. Some 15-25% of people who are chronically infected will eventually develop serious liver conditions such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.5 It is imperative that people with, or those who are at risk, of chronic hepatitis B get a hepatitis B blood test.
While chronic hepatitis B cannot be cured after infection, a medical professional can prescribe certain medications that can help manage the disease.6