hepatitis B

noun

Definition of hepatitis B

: 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 Under California law, minors aged 12 and older are already allowed to be vaccinated against hepatitis B and human papillomavirus (HPV) and to receive birth control and treatments for STIs, mental health disorders and substance abuse. — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 27 Jan. 2022 In Costa Rica, nearly ninety per cent of babies are vaccinated against hepatitis B at birth. — Atul Gawande, The New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2021 For instance, vaccination against hepatitis B is required in all states except Alabama, whereas an annual flu shot is only required in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York City, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. — Jacqueline Howard And Deidre Mcphillips, CNN, 5 Aug. 2021 Protein vaccines have been used for years to prevent hepatitis B, shingles and other diseases. — Arkansas Online, 4 June 2022 Other examples of subunit vaccines are the hepatitis B and pertussis vaccines. — Jacqueline Howard And Nadia Kounang, CNN, 3 June 2022 Protein vaccines have been used for years to prevent hepatitis B, shingles and other diseases. — Lauran Neergaard, ajc, 2 June 2022 Protein vaccines have been used for years to prevent hepatitis B, shingles and other diseases. — Lauran Neergaard, BostonGlobe.com, 2 June 2022 The technique has been used for years in vaccines against hepatitis B, pertussis (whooping cough) and other diseases. — Alexander Tin, CBS News, 1 Feb. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hepatitis B.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Learn More About hepatitis B

Dictionary Entries Near hepatitis B

hepatitis A

hepatitis B

hepatitis C

Statistics for hepatitis B

Last Updated

18 Jun 2022

Cite this Entry

“Hepatitis B.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hepatitis%20B. Accessed 26 Jun. 2022.

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More Definitions for hepatitis B

hepatitis B

noun

\ -ˈbē

Medical Definition of hepatitis B

: 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