Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both short & long-term illness.
Dr Nadir Abbas, an award-winning NHS Consultant, provides specialist, private hepatology care to prevent the virus from causing permanent liver damage or scarring.
What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). It causes the liver to become red and swollen (inflammation). While many adults can fight off the virus on their own, for others, it can become a lifelong struggle that leads to liver scarring or cirrhosis.
The two types include:
Acute Hepatitis B
This is a new infection that lasts for a short time, usually less than six months. Most adults feel like they have the flu for a few weeks, and then the virus goes away forever.
Chronic Hepatitis B
If your immune system cannot clear the virus and it remains in your blood for more than 6 months, it is called chronic. This type needs regular check-ups with an expert like Dr Nadir to make sure the virus stays in a deep sleep and does not hurt your liver.
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Stages of Hepatitis B
Dr Nadir Abbas uses his 14+ years of experience to identify which stage you are in and how to best protect your liver.
Acute Stage (Short-Term)
This is the initial infection period, typically lasting less than six months as the body attempts to clear the virus. Most adults recover fully and develop lifelong natural immunity during this phase.
Chronic Stage (Long-Term)
If the virus remains in the blood for over six months, the infection becomes chronic and requires regular medical monitoring.
Inactive or Deep Sleep Stage
With effective antiviral treatment, the virus can be pushed into an inactive state where it stops attacking liver cells. While the virus is still present, it remains asleep, allowing the liver to function normally.
Advanced Stage (Cirrhosis)
Long-term swelling can cause the liver to develop deep, permanent scars that hinder its function. Specialised scans are used at this stage to track liver stiffness and prevent further complications.
Symptoms of Hepatitis B
Many people, especially children, may have no symptoms at all. If symptoms do appear, they usually develop 40 to 160 days after exposure and can include:
- Extreme tiredness (fatigue) and flu-like symptoms.
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice).
- Dark-coloured urine and pale-coloured stools.
- Tummy pain, feeling sick, or being sick.
- Loss of appetite.
- General aches and pains in the body.
How Does Hepatitis B Spread?
The Hepatitis B virus is highly infectious and is found in the blood and body fluids of an infected person. It is much more resilient than many other viruses and can survive outside the body for several days.
Close Contact
The most common route of this virus spread is through close contact, such as unprotected sex, sharing needles and drug equipment.
Mother to Baby
If a mother has Hepatitis B, she may pass the virus to her baby during childbirth, which is a leading cause of chronic cases.
Contaminated Items
It can be spread through non-sterile needles used for tattoos or piercings, or by sharing razors and toothbrushes.
Medical Exposure
In some cases, it may be spread through medical or dental procedures in places where equipment is not cleaned properly.
Note: Hepatitis B is not spread by hugging, kissing, sneezing, coughing, or sharing food and utensils.
How Our Liver Specialist Diagnoses Hepatitis B?
Dr Nadir Abbas uses advanced diagnostic tools to check the health of your liver and the activity of the virus.
Specialist Consultation
A private, confidential talk to review your history and any risks.
Viral Marker Blood Tests
Detailed checks for specific proteins (like HBsAg) and the virus’s viral load (HBV DNA).
Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
To see if the virus is currently causing inflammation or damage.
Painless FibroScan
A quick scan to check for liver scarring (fibrosis) without using needles.
Liver Biopsy (if needed)
In complex cases, a tiny sample may be taken to see the exact level of damage.
Consultant-Led Treatments & Prevention for Hepatitis B
Prevention (Vaccination)
The Hepatitis B vaccine is 95% effective and is now given to all babies in the UK. Adults at high risk should also be vaccinated.
Acute Management
In the early stages, most patients may only need rest and fluids while their bodies fight the virus.
Chronic Management
If the virus is active or causing damage, Dr Nadir may prescribe daily antiviral tablets (such as tenofovir) to keep the virus in a deep sleep.
Long-Term Monitoring
Regular check-ups and scans every 6 months are vital to catch any changes early and screen for liver cancer.
Advanced Hepatitis B Monitoring & Specialist Care by Dr Nadir
As an internationally recognised viral liver expert, Dr Nadir Abbas provides a higher level of protection by using advanced viral load tracking to keep the virus in a “deep sleep.” He utilises the latest bone- and kidney-safe antivirals (such as TAF) and needle-free FibroScan technology to detect and reverse liver scarring before it becomes serious.
Dr Nadir’s 14+ years of specialist experience ensure that every patient receives a proactive, 6-monthly cancer screening programme for total peace of mind.
Dr Nadir Abbas
MBBS, MRCP (London), ESEGH, PhD
Consultant Hepatologist & Gastroenterologist
Director of Private Gut and Liver Services at House of Health
Dr Nadir Abbas is an award-winning NHS consultant and internationally recognised researcher who brings world-class expertise in gut and liver disorders to House of Health as Director of Gut & Liver Private Services in Birmingham, UK.
He combines expert patient care with internationally recognised research in liver and digestive disorders. Dr Abbas has contributed to British guidelines on the management of liver cirrhosis, published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, and presented at international conferences.
At House of Health, he leads a multidisciplinary team providing personalised care for complex gastrointestinal and liver conditions.
Highlights:
- 14+ years of clinical experience.
- A PhD specifically in Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) from the University of Birmingham, UK.
- Specialist in all aspects of liver diseases, including PBC, autoimmune hepatitis, PSC, Fatty Liver Disease (MASLD/MASH), IBS, IBD, GORD, pancreatic and biliary disorders, alongside general gastroenterology issues.
- Research expertise in primary biliary cholangitis and liver cirrhosis.
- International conference speaker and published author.
- Leads a multidisciplinary team of dietitians, radiologists, GPs, and gut-directed therapists.
- Skilled in advanced endoscopy and comprehensive digestive investigations.
Ready to Protect Your Liver?
Get expert Hepatitis B care from Dr Nadir Abbas, an award-winning hepatologist with 14+ years of dedicated experience in viral hepatitis and complex liver disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should see a liver specialist immediately if you receive any positive Hepatitis B test result or if you have a known chronic infection lasting over six months. Expert monitoring is also essential during pregnancy or before starting treatments that affect your immune system to prevent the virus from causing serious liver damage.
While there is no complete cure for chronic Hepatitis B yet, it can be effectively controlled with modern medicine. Expert treatment can push the virus into a deep sleep, allowing you to live a long and healthy life.
In most adults, the infection is acute and clears on its own within six months. However, if the virus stays in your blood longer, it becomes a chronic condition that requires long-term specialist monitoring.
Not everyone with Hepatitis B needs treatment immediately. Dr Nadir uses detailed blood tests and FibroScan technology to decide if you need daily antiviral tablets to protect your liver.
If you have chronic Hepatitis B, you should have a specialist check-up every 6 months. These regular visits are vital for monitoring the virus and screening for liver cancer early.
Hepatitis B is highly infectious through blood and body fluids, but it is not spread by hugging or sharing food. The best way to protect your loved ones is to ensure they are fully vaccinated.
With expert care and the right medicine, the outlook is very good. Most patients under specialist care lead normal, happy lives without ever developing serious liver failure.
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