What characterizes chronic carriers of HBV?

Chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) are individuals who continue to carry the virus for an extended period, often for life. This condition arises when the body fails to completely clear the virus following initial infection, leading to a phase of persistent viral replication. As a result, these individuals can still transmit the virus to others, and they remain at risk for various health complications, including chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma.

The other options do not accurately describe the nature of chronic HBV carriers. For instance, individuals who clear the virus do so completely and are no longer considered carriers, which negates the possibility of being a chronic carrier. Additionally, while some may experience symptoms sporadically, chronic carriers do not typically have regular flare-ups; many can be asymptomatic for years. Lastly, chronic carriers do not remain immune to reinfection as they are already infected with the virus, and there can be instances of reinfection with different HBV strains. Being a chronic carrier signifies persistent infection rather than an immune response capable of preventing reinfection.