Possibly a carrier

[MDC070]

Is it possible to be a Hep  B carrier for a number of years and not infect anyone for all that time? Is it possible to have hep B  and for symptoms to present only after several years? Thank you.

[cajim]

Would it be possible to be infected with hep b as an adult but for the virus to lay dormant (i.e. to become a carrier)?

Yes.

Presumably as a carrier you are just as infectious as anyome else with hep B?

Depends on your level of disease.

Both your questions have authoritative answers from:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hepatitis-b/DS00398

[zellyf]

It is possible to become a carrier if you are infected as an adult but only about 10% of older children and adults are unable to clear an acute infection.  How infectious you are is largely dependent upon your viral load and e-antigen status.  Not all carriers are equally infectious.  

[MDC070]

Thank you for these comments. Would it be possible to be infected with hep b as an adult but for the virus to lay dormant (i.e. to become a carrier)? Presumably as a carrier you are just as infectious as anyome else with hep B?

[cajim]

The link below is helpful and can arm you against HepB.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hepatitis-b/DS00398

[zellyf]

Yes, its possible to be a carrier for years and to not have infected anyone.  It is also possible and even likely to be asymptomatic.  At some point, symptoms could occur even after a long period without them.