Hepatitis B Doctor Near Me Approximately two billion people worldwide have evidence of past or present infection with hepatitis B virus ( HBV ), and 257 million individuals have chronic HBV infection. Hepatitis B surface antigen ( HBsAg ) is the serologic hallmark of HBV infection. Hepatitis B envelope antigen ( HBeAg ) is generally considered to be a marker of HBV replication and infectivity. The diagnosis of chronic HBV infection is based upon the persistence of HBsAg for more than six months. The spectrum of clinical manifestations of hepatitis B virus ( HBV ) infection varies in both acute and chronic disease. During the acute phase, manifestations range from subclinical infection to presence liver inflammation with or without jaundice, which may be fulminant occasionally. During the chronic phase, manifestations range from an asymptomatic carrier state to chronic liver inflammation, cirrhosis and liver cancer. For most patients with acute HBV infection, treatment is supportive. The likelihood of liver failure from acute HBV is less than 1 percent and the likelihood of progression to chronic HBV infection is less than 5 percent. The antiviral agents for chronic HBV include pegylated interferon or nucleos(t)ide analogs. The goals of antiviral therapy are suppression of HBV DNA, loss of HBeAg and loss of HBsAg. Vaccination against HBV prior to an exposure is the best way to prevent HBV infection. Additional strategies like post exposure prophylaxis or antiviral therapy can be used to reduce the risk of HBV transmission in those who are not immune to HBV and are at high risk of exposure.