Outlook

Some people rapidly improve after acute hepatitis B. Others have a more prolonged disease course with very slow improvement, or with periods of improvement followed by worsening of symptoms.

A small group of people (about 1% of people infected) suffer rapid progression of their illness during the acute stage and develop severe liver damage (liver failure). This may occur over days to weeks and may be fatal.

Other complications of HBV include development of a chronic HBV infection. People with chronic HBV infection are at further risk for liver damage (cirrhosis), liver cancer, liver failure, and death.