Acute Hepatitis B
- When someone is first infected with hepatitis B, it is called an acute infection
- Acute hepatitis B lasts for less than 6 months
- It is a self-limiting disease marked by inflammation of the liver in association with a short infection
- 1-6 months after infection, jaundice can occur but the immune system either clears the virus or brings it under control
- Very rarely, severe acute hepatitis develops which can be life-threatening
- Approximately 80% of people with acute hepatitis B will recover and become immune
