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 At the time, researchers reported rates of hepatitis B among Asian Americans that were about 50 times higher than those among non-Hispanic white people, as well as rates of liver cancer, a common consequence of infection, that were several times higher. Jyoti Madhusoodanan, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024 Viral infections, like hepatitis B and C, can weaken your liver. Devineé Lingo, M.s., Rdn, Health, 9 Sep. 2024 Students receiving a third dose of polio vaccine after the 4th birthday are not required to receive additional doses 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine 4 doses of DTaP or another combination vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) 2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine. Sarah Volpenhein, Journal Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2024 Certain chronic viral diseases, such as HIV, hepatitis C, and hepatitis B, can cause persistent, low-level inflammation that progressively damages the kidneys. Kashif J. Piracha, Verywell Health, 12 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for hepatitis B 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hepatitis B.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hepatitis B was in 1971

Dictionary Entries Near hepatitis B

Cite this Entry

“Hepatitis B.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hepatitis%20B. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

hepatitis B

noun
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on hepatitis B

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