According to the Hepatitis B Foundation, the hepatitis B virus transmits itself through body fluids such as blood-to-blood contact, unprotected sex, used needles or from a mother to infant during delivery. Failure to diagnose and treat hepatitis B on time could lead to cirrhosis or cancer of the liver. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that 43,000 new cases of hepatitis B were reported in United States in 2007. However, the CDC estimates that the actual incidence might be tenfolds higher primarily because of failure to understand symptoms of this disease. In 2007, there were 5,000 deaths attributed to hepatitis B, the CDC states.
Mild Flu
One of the earliest symptoms of hepatitis B is the occurrence of mild flu. Flu is an infection in the respiratory tract of your body that is characterized by body ache, fatigue, headache and sneezing. Though you can contract flu due to several reasons, if the symptoms occur after having unprotected sex, piercing or using second-hand needles, it is essential that you consult a health-care professional for a diagnosis.
Nausea, Diarrhea and Vomiting
Nausea, diarrhea and vomiting can be the early symptoms of hepatitis B. When you throw up frequently and feel nauseated, it can be an early stage of inflammation of the liver. Ensure that you are drinking plenty of fluids since your body is already losing its water because of diarrhea. If these symptoms become apparent along with mild flu, get a blood test or liver biopsy done to make sure that it is not hepatitis B virus that you are infected with.
Jaundice
Hepatitis B viral infection can be a cause of jaundice because both diseases affect your liver. When you suffer from jaundice, your skin and mucus membranes become yellow and the white part of the eye also exhibits yellow coloring. This primarily is due to excess amount of bilirubin in the blood, a yellowish pigment left behind by dying red blood cells that your liver is supposed to dispose of safely. In case you are affected by hepatitis B, your liver is unable to function properly leading to jaundicelike symptoms. Only a proper diagnostic test can determine the exact cause.
Weight Loss and Reduced Appetite
These two symptoms may be due to various causes, but if you are experiencing them along with the above symptoms, it possibly is a hepatitis B infection. Unusually dark urine and pale stool is also an early indication that you have been infected with the hepatitis B virus.
