At that stage, their bodies recognize the hepatitis B virus as something foreign and they are able to eliminate it before it develops into a long-lasting infection. This type of hepatitis B is acute, meaning that it peaks and lasts a short amount of time. In these regions, children more typically acquire the hepatitis B virus very early in life either from their infected mothers at birth or in early childhood from close contact with infected family members. Children's bodies accept the virus more readily as a natural part of their system and therefore will not fight the virus. These early cases often develop into chronic hepatitis B, which means the virus remains present in the body for a longer time and therefore, there is a longer opportunity for it to be spread to others.
Some people believe that if they feel good they are in good health.
This is not necessarily true. The problem with chronic hepatitis B is that a person who is infected may not have any symptoms. Even when typical symptoms do become apparent, they are not always recognized as being caused by the hepatitis B virus. Few people know that they may be carriers since being tested for the disease through a blood screening is not common. Many immigrants, particularly in our Chinese community, do not fully understand the devastating effects this disease may have if it is not successfully managed.