serum hepatitis

hepatitis B   n.  An infection of the liver that is caused by a DNA virus, is transmitted by contaminated blood or blood derivatives in transfusions, by sexual contact with an infected person, or by the use of contaminated needles and instruments. The disease has a long incubation and symptoms that may become severe or chronic, causing serious damage to the liver. Also called serum hepatitis.

Main Entry: hepatitis B
Pronunciation: -'bE
Function: noun
: a sometimes fatal hepatitis caused by a double-stranded DNA virus (genusOrthohepadnavirus of the family Hepadnaviridae) that tends to persist in the blood serum and is transmitted especially by contact with infected blood (as by transfusion or by sharingcontaminated needles in illicit intravenous drug use) or by contact with other infected bodily fluids (as during sexual intercourse) called also serum hepatitis

hepatitis B n.
A form of hepatitis caused by a DNA virus that persists in the blood serum and is transmitted by infected blood or blood derivatives, or by contaminated needles or other instruments. The disease has a long incubation period and symptoms that may become severe or chronic, causing serious damage to the liver. Also called serum hepatitis.