What organism causes Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is caused by the Hepatitis B virus, according to the Mayo Clinic. The virus infects the liver and can lead to liver failure, liver cancer, cirrhosis or death.

The disease is spread through contact with infected blood or other body fluids of an infected person, the Mayo Clinic states. Symptoms such as yellowing of the eyes and skin, dark urine, fatigue, nausea and abdominal pain can appear about three months after infection. Not all infected people develop symptoms and most healthy adults recover from an infection within six months. Infected children under the age of 6 are more likely to develop chronic infections.

There is no cure for the Hepatitis B virus, but a vaccination can help prevent an infection, states the World Health Organization.