Overview
Hepatitis B can be a short illness (acute) or a lifelong infection (chronic). The younger you are when infected, the more likely it is to become chronic. Most infected babies get lifelong infection, while most adults clear the virus.
Many people with chronic hepatitis B feel fine and don't know they have it. Over years it can scar the liver (cirrhosis) and cause liver cancer. Regular checkups and treatment lower these risks.
Symptoms
Many people have no symptoms. When they happen:
- Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Tiredness
- Nausea or poor appetite
Less common
- Pain under the right ribs
- Dark urine
- Joint pain
- Fever
- Swollen belly or easy bruising in advanced liver disease
When to get medical care
Causes
The hepatitis B virus spreads through blood, semen, and other body fluids: sex, sharing needles, and from mother to baby at birth. It doesn't spread through hugging, sharing food, or coughing.
Does it spread or run in families?
- Yes, it can spread from person to person.
- How it spreads: contact with infected blood, sex, or mother to baby around birth.
- Condoms lower the risk. Sex partners should be tested and treated too.
Who is more likely to get it
- Born where hepatitis B is common, such as parts of Asia and Africa
- Sex partner with hepatitis B
- Injecting drugs
- Born to a mother with hepatitis B
- Not vaccinated
Possible complications
- Cirrhosis (liver scarring)
- Liver cancer
- Liver failure
Diagnosis
Blood tests find hepatitis B and show whether it's new, chronic, or past.
Questions you may be asked
- Where you or your parents were born
- Sex partners, needle sharing, or tattoos
- Vaccines you've had
The exam
They'll check for signs of liver disease.
Tests
Tests:
- Hepatitis B blood panel: Shows current infection, past infection, or vaccine protection.
- Viral load and liver tests: Show how active the virus is and how the liver is doing.
- Liver ultrasound or scan: Checks for scarring and, in some people, liver cancer every 6 months.
Treatment
There's no medicine for a new (acute) infection besides rest and care. Chronic infection is watched closely and often treated.
Self-care
- Avoid alcohol
- Ask before taking new medicines or supplements
- Get vaccinated against hepatitis A
- Protect others: don't share razors or toothbrushes, and use condoms
- Keep regular checkups
Medicines
Antivirals control chronic hepatitis B but usually don't cure it.
| Medicine | Helps with | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Antiviral pills | Lowering the virus and protecting the liver | Don't stop without your doctor; the infection can flare. |
| Hepatitis B vaccine | Prevention |
OwieClear doesn't give doses: follow the label or your healthcare professional. Medicine names here are examples, not a full list.
Antiviral pills can keep the virus low and protect the liver. Many people take them long term.
Prevention
To prevent hepatitis B:
- Get vaccinated (all babies and adults up to 59; older adults at risk)
- Use condoms
- Don't share needles, razors, or toothbrushes
- Pregnant people get tested so their babies can be protected at birth
Which doctor treats this
- Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
- They may send you to a gastroenterologist or hepatologist (liver doctor).
Living with it
- Keep a simple diary of symptoms, triggers, and medicines to bring to visits.
- Bring a list of your medicines and questions to each visit.
- Note which foods make symptoms better or worse.
- Eat smaller meals and limit alcohol.
- Long-term illness can affect mood. Tell your doctor if you feel down or anxious.
Support groups and helplines
- American Liver Foundation: Helpline and support groups for liver disease.
Back to school, work, or sports
- You can go to school and work as usual.
- Don't have sex until you and your partners finish treatment and your doctor says it's OK.
Children, pregnancy, and older adults
- Pregnancy and babies: Babies of mothers with hepatitis B get a vaccine and antibodies within 12 hours of birth.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
- Some infections can pass to the baby during pregnancy or birth. Tell your provider if you've been exposed.
- Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
- Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
- Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.
For caregivers
- Go to visits when you can and take notes.
- Keep a list of medicines, allergies, and doctors in one place.
- Learn the warning signs that need fast care.
- Take breaks and ask for help. Caregivers need care too.
Outlook
Most adults recover from acute hepatitis B. People with chronic infection can live long, healthy lives with checkups and treatment.
Getting ready for your visit
Bring past test results.
What to bring
- Past hepatitis tests
- Your medicine and supplement list
Questions to ask
- Do I need treatment now?
- How often should my liver be checked?
- Do my family and partners need testing or vaccines?
Research studies
Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.
Sources
Last updated 2026-11-12.