Hepatitis B infection of the liver can pose a significant risk to life. Approximately 50% of infected individuals experience no symptoms, remaining unaware of their infection. The prognosis of hepatitis B varies depending on whether it manifests as acute or chronic infection. Acute hepatitis B symptoms, more common in adults, typically appear within 1 to 4 months after exposure and resemble flu-like symptoms. While many people recover rapidly from acute hepatitis B, some experience a prolonged illness with slow improvement over several months.
Chronic hepatitis B can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure, potentially resulting in death. There is currently no treatment to prevent acute hepatitis B from progressing to the chronic stage. Individuals with chronic hepatitis B should undergo regular monitoring by healthcare providers to assess disease progression. Treatment focuses on suppressing viral replication in the liver, which may aid the immune system in deactivating the virus and preventing further liver damage. Lowering viral load through treatment can reduce the risk of complications such as chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
In rare cases (about 1% of infected individuals), hepatitis B infection may lead to fulminant hepatitis, a severe and life-threatening form of acute hepatitis. Prompt and appropriate treatment is essential to prevent serious complications and potential fatalities.