The hepatitis B carrier state.

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.