HEPATITIS B VIRUS. HEPATITIS B VIRUS Hepatitis B virus. Approximately 10% of people infected with the Hepatitis B virus become ´carriers´ and can spread the disease to others for months, for years, or even for life. Approximately 70% of carriers develop a life-long infection but never develop symptoms. The other 30% develop a chronic, life-long infection, increasing their chance of permanent liver damage, including cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and liver cancer. The hepatitis B virus, whi