viral hepatitis type B

vi·ral hep·a·ti·tis type B

a viral disease with a long incubation period (usually 50-160 days), caused by a hepatitis B virus, a DNA virus and member of the family Hepadnaviridae, usually transmitted by injection of infected blood or blood derivatives or by use of contaminated needles, lancets, or other instruments or by sexual transmission; clinically and pathologically similar to viral hepatitis type A, but there is no cross-protective immunity; HB_sAg is found in the serum and the hepatitis delta virus occurs in some patients. May lead to acute or chronic liver disease.

Synonym(s): hepatitis B, serum hepatitis, transfusion hepatitis, virus B hepatitis

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

vi·ral hep·a·ti·tis type B

(vī'răl hep'ă-tī'tis tīp)

A virus disease with a long incubation period (usually 50-160 days), caused by hepatitis B virus (family Hepadnaviridae, genus Orthohepadnavirus); transmitted by blood or blood products, contaminated needles or instruments, or sexual contact; differs from hepatitis A in having a higher mortality rate and in the possibility of progression to a chronic disease, a carrier state, or both. Superinfection with hepatitis D can greatly exacerbate the effect of hepatitis B.
Synonym(s): hepatitis B.

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012