Hepatitis B is a virus which can cause inflammation of the liver.
Symptoms usually develop within three months.
Most adults who acquire hepatitis B will recover, and develop lifelong immunity. These people are no longer infectious. Acute Hepatitis B is occasionally so severe it can be life threatening. Long term HBV carriers may suffer chronic hepatitis which may predispose to cirrhosis, liver failure and cancer of the liver. Practise safer sex - use a condom or dam when having vaginal, anal or oral sex.