Hello Mr RNK, How are you? My name is Dr Suresh Raghavaiah. I am a Liver transplant surgeon and I hope to answer your question today. I am so sorry to hear about your son s diagnosis. Hepatitis B infection occurs either by exchange of body fluids or from mother to child during birth. But not all patients infected with hepatitis B need treatment. 80-90% of patients infected with hepatitis B, spontanously clear the virus themselves and do not need any treatment. around 8% of patients have the virus continously without suffering from any ill effects of the virus (carriers). 1% of the patients unfortunately develop chronic effects of the virus which affects the liver and damages the liver. These patients will end up needing treatment. The liver damage will be evident by blood tests. Also the stage of infection can also known by blood tests (Hbeag, Anti Hbe Ag, Core antigen, Viral Load etc). I am sure your doctors are doing all the appropriate tests. Please do not hesitate to contact me for further details. rxsuresh@gmail.com Hope this helps and hope you start to feel better.. Have a great dat Dr Suresh Raghavaiah