Hepatitis B infection is the most common liver infection globally, caused by the hepatitis B virus

It is a DNA virus - transmitted by direct contact with blood and bodily fluids, vertical transmission and is also an STI

Deterioration in patient with hepatitis B - ? hepatocellular carcinoma

Cause:

Transmission of hepatitis B and C virus results from exposure to infectious blood or body fluids containing blood. Possible forms of transmission include sexual contact, blood transfusions and transfusion with other human blood products, re-use of contaminated needles and syringes, and vertical transmission from mother to child during childbirth.

Risk factors:

• Antenatal exposure
• Multiple sexual partners
• Men who have sex with men
• Injection drug use
• family Hx of HepB virus or hepatocellular carcinoma
• Incarceration
• Living in/travel to a a highly endemic region
• Household contact with an infected individual

PC

*presence of risk factors

• Approx. 70% of patients with acute HBV are asymptomatic