| Risk Factors Hepatitis B is a liver disease. It can be acute
or chronic. Acute hepatitis B usually goes away on its own and
may not need treatment. Chronic hepatitis B is an infection that
lasts more than six months. Chronic infection can lead to other
health problems. Hepatitis B is treated with antiviral
medications. Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. Hepatitis B
is caused a virus. The virus causes swelling and irritation in
the liver and makes it difficult for the liver to function
normally. The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is spread by semen,
vaginal secretions, saliva, blood, or body fluids from an
infected person. The virus can pass from these fluids to your
body through an open cut in your skin. A woman with hepatitis
can also pass HBV to her baby during childbirth. Factors that
may increase your chance of hepatitis B include: - Illicit drug
injection use, especially when sharing needles - Unprotected
sexual contact, especially with multiple partners - Sharing a
residence and/or personal items with s