Hepatitis B refers to a serious inflammation of the liver that results from being infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). According to EMedicine.com, over 90 percent of healthy individuals will fight off this infection and recover. Hepatitis B is transmitted through semen, blood and other bodily fluids as well as sharing needles or intimate items like razors. EMedicine.com notes that hepatitis B primarily is a disease of young Americans aged 20 to 50 years, and that the younger one is when infected, the more likely it will be a chronic condition. Moreover, an estimated 1.25 million people are chronic HBV carriers.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
According to the Mayo Clinic, some persons with hepatitis B may not even realize that they are ill because the signs may be mild. Those who do experience symptoms tend to develop them two to three months after getting infected. Frequently, early symptoms indicating that you have the hepatitis B virus are stomach problems such as an upset stomach with abdominal pain in the region of the liver and a drop in appetite. Other gastric signs that you may experience include mild nausea or nausea with vomiting and diarrhea that may cause one to become dehydrated. Also, you may notice a change in bowel movements in that the color of stools may become light or clay-colored; likewise, your urine can turn a dark brownish color.
Fever and Flu-like Symptoms
A persistent, mildly elevated temperature that lasts for several weeks is another early symptom of hepatitis B. A set of other symptoms can mimic cold or flu-like symptoms; for example, the fever may be accompanied by vague symptoms like feeling tired, sluggish or weak and experiencing joint pain or achiness.
Jaundice
Jaundice occurs due to a high level of bilirubin in the blood and is a sign that the liver is not functioning properly. Bilirubin is the brownish yellow substance found in bile that is produced as the liver breaks down old red blood cells; this byproduct is then excreted from the body by normal stools, which retain bilirubin's color. When the liver is not doing its job in breaking down and filtering out waste products properly, jaundice can result. Jaundice is the medical term which means that one's skin and the white part surrounding the eyes (sclera) turn yellow due to the high level of bilrubin in the body.
Pruritus
When the liver is injured and does not process waste products effectively, toxins such as bilirubin accumulate in the body. In addition to jaundice, another likely consequence of high bilirubin levels is pruritus; that is, an itch or some skin sensation that makes a person feel like scratching for relief. Pruritus frequently occurs in people who have jaundice. All of these symptoms associated with hepatitis B emphasize the vital role that the liver plays in maintaining the body and health.
