Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver by the hepatitis B virus, or HBV. Infection occurs through contact with bodily fluids, including blood, vaginal fluids and semen, and an infected mother may pass the virus to her child during childbirth. Approximately 350,000 people around the world suffer from chronic hepatitis B, and 600,000 die every year from the consequences of HBV infection, according to the World Health Organization. Many people remain asymptomatic, but up to 50 percent of infected adults and children over the age of five may experience one or more symptoms up to six months after infection.
Jaundice and Other Visible Symptoms
Jaundice causes the eyes and skin to appear yellow, and it may be a sign of an acute hepatitis B infection. Jaundice occurs when the blood contains an excess amount of a greenish yellow pigment known as bilirubin. When the liver cannot remove bilirubin from the blood quickly enough, the elevated levels of the pigment result in jaundice. Other visible symptoms of acute hepatitis B include dark yellow urine, and stools that appear light-colored or clay-colored, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases also lists swollen ankles and stomach as visible symptoms of the infection. Some people may notice that spider-like blood vessels appear on their skin.
Fever and Fatigue Symptoms
A person with acute hepatitis B may suffer from low-grade fever and fatigue symptoms, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that patients may also suffer from weakness and joint pain, and that all symptoms may range from mild and barely noticeable to severe.
Stomach-related Symptoms
In mild cases of hepatitis B, symptoms may resemble those of a stomach flu, notes the American Academy of Family Physicians. These include nausea and vomiting. Other stomach-related symptoms include abdominal pain, especially on the upper right side of the abdomen in and around the location of the liver. Some people may experience a reduced appetite.
References
- Medline Plus: Hepatitis B
- World Health Organization: Hepatitis B
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Hepatitis B Information for Health Professionals
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: What I Need To Know About Hepatitis B
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Hepatitis B
