| | Definition: | | This disease is caused by DNA viruses in the family Hepadnaviridae and is much more serious than hepatitis A. Hepatitis B has a long incubation period (around three months) and can cause severe liver damage and even death. It is typically spread by blood or body fluid contact, such as through hypodermic needles or sexual intercourse. A type of liver cancer, hepatoma, can follow a bout with H-B. |
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