Hepatitis B virus

Definition

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a DNA virus that primarily infects the liver, causing both acute and chronic hepatitis. It is transmitted through contact with infectious body fluids.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. HBV has a unique partially double-stranded DNA genome.
2. The virus can lead to serious liver conditions including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
3. It is primarily spread through blood, sexual contact, and perinatally from mother to child.
4. HBV has an incubation period of about 1 to 6 months.
5. Vaccination is available and highly effective in preventing HBV infection.

Review Questions

Related terms

Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A type of liver cancer often associated with chronic HBV infection.

Cirrhosis:

A severe scarring of the liver caused by long-term damage, often due to chronic hepatitis infections.

Reverse Transcriptase:

An enzyme used by HBV to replicate its DNA within a host cell.