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

Florida immunization requirements for students include vaccines against polio, diphtheria, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B among others. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025

At present, state rules require immunizations against measles, chickenpox, hepatitis B, DTaP, polio and other diseases for childcare and public school attendance, according to the Department of Health's website. —Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025

Like all other states, Florida has long required most children entering school to be vaccinated against measles, mumps, rubella and hepatitis B, among other infectious diseases. —Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

The medication stops the replication of hepatitis B DNA in the body, halving the risk of liver cancer and other complications. —Jia H. Jung, Mercury News, 1 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hepatitis B

• actuary
• antiquary
• bolsheviki
• calliope
• chelicerae
• covenantee
• cruciferae
• diastole
• distributee
• hyperbole
• interviewee
• origami

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