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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Though not yet proved, these may include infections, such as hepatitis B and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a bacteria that causes ulcers. —

Corey Whelan, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2024 In New York City in the early 2000s, routine hepatitis B vaccination was available only to children. —

Jyoti Madhusoodanan, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for hepatitis B

Word History

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of hepatitis B was in 1971

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Style

“Hepatitis B.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hepatitis%20B. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

hepatitis B

noun

-ˈbē

: 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

Last Updated: 14 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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hepatitis B

noun

Examples of hepatitis B in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near hepatitis B

Cite this Entry

Medical Definition