Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by a viral infection. One of the viral infections that may occur in the liver is hepatitis B. This contagious virus can spread from person to person by touching infected body fluids. The infection is acute and short term or becomes chronic and continues to cause problems for the infected individual for the rest of his life. Vaccines are available to prevent contracting the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Symptoms of the hepatitis B virus usually begin around three months after contracting the virus.
Jaundice
A major symptom of the hepatitis B virus is jaundice. Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and the white area of the eyes. One function of the liver is to remove the bilirubin, left from naturally destroyed red blood cells, from the blood and excretes it as bile into the intestine. The hepatitis B virus causes the inflammation in the liver, preventing the liver from absorbing the bilirubin from the blood. The increased levels of bilirubin cause the jaundice seen in individuals affected by the virus.
Dark Urine and Light Stool
The increased levels of bilirubin in the body may also cause a darker color in the urine. Bilirubin is what gives stool its brown color. With the decreased amount of bilirubin excreted into the intestines, the stool may appear paler than normal. The stool may also appear clay-colored, states the CDC.
Fever
Because hepatitis B is a viral infection, individuals may experience a fever with the infection.
Fatigue
Fatigue and weakness may occur with a hepatitis B infection. The fatigue and weakness do not decrease with an increased amount of sleep and rest.
Gastrointestinal Distress
Gastrointestinal distress may occur with this viral infection. Symptoms associated with the distress include nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, according to the Mayo Clinic. The liver is located in the right side of the abdomen. This location is especially tender with the inflammation in the liver. A person may also experience a decrease in appetite with the infection.
Pain
Along with abdominal pain, individuals with suffering from hepatitis B may experience joint pain. General body aching may also occur along with the other pain.
