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

The vitamin K shot is one of the three main interventions, along with the hepatitis B vaccine and an antibiotic ointment in the eyes, that newborns typically receive before leaving the hospital.

From Salon • May 7, 2026

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

The WHO recommends that all newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

Other changes include dropping a mandatory hepatitis B vaccine for newborns, as well as identifying bacterial meningitis, rotavirus and COVID-19 as recommended only for “high risk groups.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 7, 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