Classification: ICD-9 070.3; ICD-10 B16 and B18.
Syndromes and synonyms: Type B hepatitis, serum hepatitis, homologous serum jaundice, long-incubation hepatitis.
Agent: Hepatitis B virus (HBV), a DNA virus belonging to the family of Hepadnaviridae. There are 8 genotypes (A to H) with marked differences in disease severity. Genotypes are classified by comparing complete HBV genomes. The map illustrates the distribution of chronic HBV infection. Co-infection with hepatitis D virus (HDV) may occur resulting in severe chronic liver disease. HDV is a defective RNA virus that requires HBV for replication.
Reservoir: Humans.
Transmission: Percutaneous or mucosal exposure to blood or body fluids (e.g. semen, vaginal fluid, saliva) of an infected individual. Person-to-person transmission via sexual contact, needle sharing in IVDUs, sharing toothbrushes or razors, and blood transfusion. Transmission does not occur via kissing, coughing, or sneezing. Mother to child transmission occurs mainly during birth or transplacentally (not via breast-feeding).
Incubation period: 2–3 months.
Clinical findings
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