hepatitis B

noun

: an acute or chronic hepatitis that is caused by a DNA virus (species Hepatitis B virus of the genus Orthohepadnavirus, family Hepadnaviridae), is marked chiefly by fatigue, fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, darkened urine, jaundice, and joint pain but may be asymptomatic, and is transmitted especially by contact with infected blood (as by transfusion or by sharing contaminated needles in illicit intravenous drug use) or by contact with other infected bodily fluids (such as semen)

Note: The acute form of hepatitis B, a mild illness lasting several weeks to months, may progress to long-term or chronic infection often leading to liver damage, liver failure, or liver cancer.

called also serum hepatitis

Examples of hepatitis B in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Meanwhile, most people with hepatitis B recover without treatment. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2025 As for chronic illnesses, one of them, hepatitis B, has been nearly eliminated in American children thanks in part to an immunization that Kennedy also criticizes. Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025 The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended at birth because the infection, which can lead to permanent liver damage and cancer, is highly transmissible during delivery. Isobel Whitcomb, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025 After watching a young woman almost die of liver failure after contracting hepatitis B, the doctor helped to create a program offering free shots to school children. Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 4 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hepatitis B

Word History

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hepatitis B was in 1971

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Cite this Entry

“Hepatitis B.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hepatitis%20B. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

Medical Definition

hepatitis B

noun
: an acute or chronic hepatitis that is caused by a double-stranded DNA virus (species Hepatitis B virus of the genus Orthohepadnavirus, family Hepadnaviridae), is marked chiefly by fatigue, fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, darkened urine, jaundice, and joint pain but may be asymptomatic, and is transmitted especially by contact with infected blood (as by transfusion or by sharing contaminated needles in illicit intravenous drug use) or by contact with other infected body fluids (as semen)

Note: The acute form of hepatitis B, a mild illness lasting several weeks to months, may progress to long-term or chronic infection often leading to liver damage, liver failure, or liver cancer.

called also serum hepatitis

More from Merriam-Webster on hepatitis B

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