Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects your liver. It causes inflammation in your liver tissues, which is what “hepatitis” means. It begins as an acute infection that’s usually short-lived. But in some people, it turns into a chronic infection that never goes away.

Long-term inflammation does serious damage to your liver over time. It can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure. Like other chronic liver diseases, hepatitis B infection can do this damage without causing symptoms. Many people don’t realize they’re infected.