Approximately 4,500 cases of acute hepatitis B were officially recorded in the United States in 2007, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms appear when hepatitis B is in it's acute stage. Children below five years of age are asymptomatic, while up to half of children above five may have symptoms. Because some symptoms of hepatitis can be signs of other medical issues, it is important to discuss symptoms with your doctor.
Appetite Loss
The loss of appetite is an early symptom of hepatitis B, notes MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. Appetite loss is related to the immune system's response to the disease and can take up to six months to manifest.
Chronic Liver Infection
Acute hepatitis B may cause a chronic liver infection to develop, explains the World Health Organization. Once the disease advances to its later phases, the liver infection may progress to liver cirrhosis or even liver cancer.
Darkened Urine
Acute hepatitis B can cause the urine to darken, notes the World Health Organization. This symptom may require between two to three weeks to resolve itself, notes MedlinePlus.
Exhaustion and General Feeling of Weakness
Children who develop acute hepatitis B also experience exhaustion and generally feel weak, according to MayoClinic.com. However the symptoms heal in about three weeks or less if properly treated, explains MedlinePlus.
Jaundice
Jaundice is another symptom of acute hepatitis B. Jaundice is characterized by a yellowish discoloration of the skin and the whites of the eyes due to bile salt deposits. The appearance of jaundice indicates that liver function has been compromised by hepatitis B. Although jaundice usually fades after several weeks depending on response to treatment, the liver may require up several months to fully recover, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Low Albumin
Albumin is a kind of protein produced by the liver that assists in moving small molecules of various substances through the blood, including bilirubin, which is the yellow substance found in bile, explains MedlinePlus. Acute hepatitis B impairs liver function, thus lowering the albumin level in the body.
Pain in the Abdominal Area
Acute hepatitis B may also cause pain in the abdominal area. The intensity of the pain can vary from person to person, notes MedlinePlus. Abdominal pain usually goes away after about six weeks, explains the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Pain in Joints and Muscles
Pain in the joints and muscles is a possible symptom caused by acute hepatitis B, notes MayoClinic.com and MedlinePlus.
Nausea
Nausea and vomiting are possible symptoms that may manifest with acute hepatitis B, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
