Federal health officials have recommended that all adults in the United States get screened for hepatitis B virus (HBV) at least once in their lifetime, saying that most people living with the infection don’t know they’re infected.
Hepatitis B is one of five types of viral hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver. HBV, which is transmitted in blood and other bodily fluids, can spread through sex, sharing contaminated needles and syringes, or from mother to child in the womb.
The initial HBV infection typically doesn’t involve any symptoms, although some people may experience fatigue, loss of appetite, stomach pain, or jaundice. Chronic hepatitis B can damage the liver over time, increasing the risk of developing liver failure or liver cancer….