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

Vaccines Kennedy, the founder of a prominent anti-vaccine activist group, has repeatedly questioned the safety and effectiveness of routine vaccinations, such as those for hepatitis B and the flu. —Aria Bendix, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024

In 2023 alone, Gilead’s therapeutics enabled over 120 million treatments for HIV and hepatitis B patients in low-and middle-income countries, the company reports. —Chase Feiger, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024

Though not yet proved, these may include infections, such as hepatitis B and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a bacteria that causes ulcers. —Corey Whelan, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2024

In New York City in the early 2000s, routine hepatitis B vaccination was available only to children. —Jyoti Madhusoodanan, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

hepatitis B

noun

-ˈbē 

: 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