title: The hepatitis B carrier state.
abstract: Acute hepatitis B virus infection resolves in 95 percent of patients within one year. The remaining 5 percent have persistent infection and become chronic carriers. In the United States, there are nearly one million carriers, who are at increased risk of developing immune-complex disorders and liver diseases. Treatment is available to reduce vertical transmission, and ongoing trials of immunosuppressive and antiviral agents are aimed at decreasing or resolving viral replication.
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002353:Carrier State / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D007105:Immune Complex Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000635:transmission; D014775:Virus Activation
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents