Being infected with hepatitis B and producing antibodies means that the hepatitis B virus is not causing a chronic infection. It is also possible for the hepatitis B virus to cause only acute hepatitis B, with abnormal liver function and symptoms of hepatitis, and it is also possible for viral hepatitis to occur without any symptoms, when a person does not feel anything. In adults, most hepatitis B viruses infect the body and the immune system is able to clear them out, turning the body into a healed state after hepatitis B infection, that is, the immune system clears out the hepatitis B virus completely, and the body gains the appropriate protective antibodies, or hepatitis B surface antibodies. When exposed to the hepatitis B virus again, the protective antibodies protect the body from being infected by the hepatitis B virus again.