Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). For some people, hepatitis B infection becomes chronic, meaning it lasts more than six months, For some people, hepatitis B infection becomes chronic, meaning it lasts more than six months. Having chronic hepatitis B increases the risk of developing liver failure, liver cancer or cirrhosis - a condition with permanent liver scars.

The signs and symptoms of hepatitis B go from mild to severe. They usually appear about one to four months after infection, although you may notice them two weeks after infection. Some people, usually young children, may not have symptoms.

Signs and symptoms of hepatitis B can include:

1. Abdominal pain

2. Black urine

3. Fever

4. Joint pain

5. Loss of appetite

6. Nausea and vomiting

7. Weakness and fatigue

8. Yellowing of your skin and white of your eyes (jaundice)

Hepatitis B is spread through contact with blood, semen, or other body fluids from an infected person.

Your risk of hepatitis B infection increases if:

• Share needles during IV use

• Stay with someone who has a chronic HBV infection

• A baby born to an infected mother

• Have a job that exposes human blood

• To regions with high levels of HBV infection, such as Asia, the Pacific Islands, Africa, and Eastern Europe

The hepatitis B vaccine is usually given as three or four injections over six months. You cannot get hepatitis B from a vaccine source.

The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for:

• Infants

• Unvaccinated children and adolescents at birth

• Those who work or live in a center for people with developmental disabilities

• People living with a person with hepatitis B

• Health workers, emergency workers and other people who come in contact with blood

• People who inject illegal drugs or share needles and syringes

• People with chronic liver disease

• People with chronic kidney disease

• Travelers planning to travel to the world with a high hepatitis B infection rate