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Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. Most adults who get it have it for a short time and then get better. But sometimes the virus causes a long-term infection, called chronic hepatitis B. Over time, this can lead to liver damage or liver cancer.
The virus spreads through the blood of an infected person or through sexual contact with an infected person.
Current as of: February 9, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Donald Sproule MDCM, CCFP - Family Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & W. Thomas London MD - Hepatology
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