{"id":7175,"date":"2014-07-08T09:58:01","date_gmt":"2014-07-07T23:58:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mvec.vic.edu.au\/?page_id=437"},"modified":"2024-12-19T11:24:55","modified_gmt":"2024-12-19T00:24:55","slug":"%e0%a4%b9%e0%a5%87%e0%a4%aa%e0%a5%87%e0%a4%9f%e0%a4%be%e0%a4%87%e0%a4%9f%e0%a4%bf%e0%a4%b8-%e0%a4%ac%e0%a5%80","status":"publish","type":"references","link":"https:\/\/mvec.mcri.edu.au\/hi\/references\/hepatitis-b\/","title":{"rendered":"\u0939\u0947\u092a\u0947\u091f\u093e\u0907\u091f\u093f\u0938 \u092c\u0940"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/p>\n

What is it?<\/h2>\n

Hepatitis B is an infection caused by the <\/span>hepatitis B virus <\/span><\/i>(HBV). It can affect both adults and children, causing acute liver inflammation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once acute infection has resolved, it is estimated that up to 10% of those infected in adulthood, and up to 90% of those infected in infancy, will go on to develop chronic infection.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) can lead to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and liver failure and\/or <\/span>hepatocellular carcinoma<\/span> (liver cancer<\/span>). Liver cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths globally. There is no cure for CHB, although there are some antiviral medications that can reduce potential liver damage.<\/span><\/p>\n

What to look for<\/h2>\n

The incubation period for hepatitis B ranges from 45 to 180\u202fdays. The infectious period starts from several weeks before the onset of symptoms <\/span>(if present)<\/span>, and usually lasts approximately 4 to 5\u202fmonths. Those who develop CHB\u202fusually remain infectious for life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Initial hepatitis B infection is often asymptomatic, meaning a person may be unaware that they are carrying the infection. In those who develop signs of acute hepatitis B infection, symptoms may include:<\/span><\/p>\n