hepatitis B

American  

noun

Pathology.

1. a form of hepatitis caused by a DNA virus hepatitis B virus, or HBV that persists in the blood, characterized by a long incubation period: usually transmitted by sexual contact or by injection or ingestion of infected blood or other bodily fluids.

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hepatitis B British  

noun

1. Former name: serum hepatitis.  a form of hepatitis caused by a virus transmitted by infected blood (as in transfusions), contaminated hypodermic needles, sexual contact, or by contact with any other body fluid

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Etymology

Origin of hepatitis B

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

For example, the panel no longer recommends that all newborns in the United States receive a hepatitis B vaccine, a highly infectious disease that can lead to incurable liver damage.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

GSK said the agreement sharpens the focus of its liver-disease portfolio, which includes potential treatments for chronic hepatitis B and fatty-liver disease, among other conditions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

A sizeable portion of Guinea-Bissau's population is estimated to have hepatitis B, and the WHO says vaccination at birth prevents the virus being transmitted from mother to baby in 70-95% of cases.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

When the U.S. first implemented vaccination doses at birth beginning in 1991, hepatitis B infections in American children plummeted by 99%.

From Salon • Jan. 21, 2026

With the help of Slavin’s serum, Blumberg eventually uncovered the link between hepatitis B and liver cancer, and created the first hepatitis B vaccine, saving millions of lives.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot