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Signs and Symptoms of Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). In some cases, hepatitis B infection becomes chronic, meaning it lasts a lot more than six months. Having chronic hepatitis B increases the risk of developing liver failure, liver cancer or cirrhosis. Most adults with hepatitis B recover fully, even if their symptoms are severe. Infants and children are more likely to develop a chronic hepatitis B infection. A vaccine can prevent hepatitis B, but there's no cure if you have the condition. If you're infected, taking certain precautions can help prevent spreading the virus to others.

Causes

Hepatitis B is caused by infection of the body with the hepatitis B virus. The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is found in blood. It can be transmitted through semen, vaginal fluids, blood, and it can pass from a mother to a newborn during delivery. Sharing needles and having unprotected sex highly increase the risk. People tend to catch HBV when they visit a part of the world in which infections are more common. A person can spread the condition without being aware, as it sometimes may be symptomless.

What are the symptoms of acute hepatitis B?

Acute hepatitis B is the period of illness that occurs during the first one to four months after acquiring the virus. About 30% to 50% of adults develop significant symptoms during acute infection. Early symptoms may be non-specific, including fever, a flu-like illness, and joint pains. Symptoms of acute hepatitis may include:

  • fatigue,
  • loss of appetite,
  • nausea,
  • jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), and
  • pain in the upper right abdomen

Rarely, acute hepatitis damages the liver so badly it can no longer function. This life-threatening condition is called "fulminant hepatitis." Patients with fulminant hepatitis are at risk of developing bleeding problems and coma resulting from the failure of the liver as it’s a very serious condition.

What are the symptoms of chronic hepatitis B?

The liver is a vital organ that has many functions. These include a role in the immune system, production of clotting factors, producing bile for digestion; storing nutrients including sugars, fats and minerals for use by the body later; and breaking down toxic substances. Patients with chronic hepatitis B develop symptoms in proportion to the degree of abnormalities in these functions. Symptoms of chronic hepatitis B vary widely depending on the severity of the liver damage. They vary from few and relatively mild signs to symptoms of severe liver disease.

Most individuals with chronic hepatitis B remain symptom free for many years or even decades I some cases. During this time, the patient's liver function blood tests usually are normal or only mildly abnormal. Some patients may deteriorate and develop inflammation or symptoms, putting them at risk for developing cirrhosis.

How long do symptoms of hepatitis B last?

Hepatitis B in adults will usually pass within one to three months. This is known as acute hepatitis B and rarely causes serious problems. Sometimes, the infection can last for six months or more. This is known as chronic hepatitis B. Chronic hepatitis B mainly affects babies and young children who get hepatitis B. It's much less common in people who become infected later in childhood or as adults. The symptoms of chronic hepatitis B tend to be quite mild and may come and go. Some people may not have any noticeable symptoms at all.

If you have any symptoms of hepatitis B, it’s important to check with a doctor or nurse for testing. Hepatitis B usually will go away by itself, but it may become chronic and seriously damage your liver.