About Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It can become chronic, putting people at high risk of cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer — and you can have it, and spread it, without knowing.
HBV spreads through blood, semen and other body fluids: sexual contact, sharing needles or drug equipment, and from mother to baby at birth. The virus survives outside the body for at least 7 days, and the incubation period averages 75 days (30–180). A vaccine is available.
Symptoms
What to Watch For
- Most people have no symptoms during acute infection
- Tiredness, mild fever and headache
- Loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting
- Muscle aches and joint pain
- Yellow eyes and skin (jaundice)
Test Options
How CARIGEN Tests
- Hepatitis B — identification of the hepatitis B virus
- HIV / Hep B / Hep C Panel — identification in a single panel