What percentage of patients may develop chronic infection with Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can lead to two distinct outcomes: acute infection that may resolve spontaneously and chronic infection that persists over time. The statistics show that 5-10 percent of patients who contract the hepatitis B virus will go on to develop a chronic infection, particularly in adults. This figure can be influenced by a variety of factors, including age at infection, immune response, and other health conditions.

In children, however, the risk of developing a chronic infection is significantly higher. For instance, infants infected with HBV at birth have a much greater likelihood of developing a chronic condition, which can lead to liver cirrhosis or even hepatocellular carcinoma later in life. Therefore, the understanding of chronic hepatitis B infection prevalence is critical in establishing treatment and preventive measures for various demographics.

Other percentages offered in the choices reflect either much lower risks or inaccurately high levels of chronicity that do not align with the established epidemiological data regarding HBV infections in adults. Thus, the range of 5-10 percent is the accepted rate for the development of chronic infections following hepatitis B virus exposure in the adult population.