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Descriptions
Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). For some people, hepatitis B infection becomes chronic, meaning it lasts more than six months. Having chronic hepatitis B increases your risk of developing liver failure, liver cancer or cirrhosis — a condition that causes permanent scarring of the liver.
Most people infected with hepatitis B as adults recover fully, even if their signs and symptoms are severe. Infants and children are more likely to develop a chronic hepatitis B infection. A vaccine can prevent hepatitis B, but there's no cure if you have it. If you're infected, taking certain precautions can help prevent spreading HBV to others.
Hepatitis B symptoms
Signs and symptoms of hepatitis B, ranging from mild to severe, usually appear about one to four months after you've been infected. Signs and symptoms of hepatitis B may include:
- Abdominal pain
- Dark urine
- Fever
- Joint pain
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weakness and fatigue
- Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
Diagnosis Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B infection is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The virus is passed from person to person through blood, semen or other body fluids.
Common ways HBV is transmitted include:
Sexual contact. You may become infected if you have unprotected sex with an infected partner whose blood, saliva, semen or vaginal secretions enter your body.
Sharing of needles. HBV is easily transmitted through needles and syringes contaminated with infected blood. Sharing intravenous (IV) drug paraphernalia puts you at high risk of hepatitis B.
Accidental needle sticks. Hepatitis B is a concern for health care workers and anyone else who comes in contact with human blood.
Mother to child. Pregnant women infected with HBV can pass the virus to their babies during childbirth. However, the newborn can be vaccinated to avoid getting infected in almost all cases. Talk to your doctor about being tested for hepatitis B if you are pregnant or want to become pregnant.
Acute vs. chronic hepatitis B
Hepatitis B infection may be either short-lived (acute) or long lasting (chronic).
Acute hepatitis B infection lasts less than six months. Your immune system likely can clear acute hepatitis B from your body, and you should recover completely within a few months. Most people who acquire hepatitis B as adults have an acute infection, but it can lead to chronic infection.
Chronic hepatitis B infection lasts six months or longer. When your immune system can't fight off the acute infection, hepatitis B infection may last a lifetime, possibly leading to serious illnesses such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.
The younger you are when you get hepatitis B — particularly newborns or children younger than 5 — the higher your risk the infection becoming chronic. Chronic infection may go undetected for decades until a person becomes seriously ill from liver disease.
Normal vs Infections
Hepatitis B symptoms spreads through contact with blood, semen or other body fluids from an infected person. Your risk of hepatitis B infection increases if you:
Have unprotected sex with multiple sex partners or with someone who's infected with HBV
Share needles during intravenous (IV) drug use
Are a man who has sex with other men
Live with someone who has a chronic HBV infection
Are an infant born to an infected mother
Have a job that exposes you to human blood
Travel to regions with high infection rates of HBV, such as Africa, Central and Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe
Infections problem causes
Having a chronic HBV infection can lead to serious complications, such as:
- Scarring of the liver (cirrhosis). The inflammation associated with a hepatitis B infection can lead to extensive liver scarring (cirrhosis), which may impair the liver's ability to function.
- Liver cancer. People with chronic hepatitis B infection have an increased risk of liver cancer.
- Liver failure. Acute liver failure is a condition in which the vital functions of the liver shut down. When that occurs, a liver transplant is necessary to sustain life.
- Other conditions. People with chronic hepatitis B may have kidney disease, inflammation of blood vessels or anemia.
Take an action now!!
You're likely to start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. However, in some cases, you may be referred immediately to a specialist. Doctors who specialize in treating hepatitis B include:
- Doctors who treat digestive diseases (gastroenterologists)
- Doctors who treat liver diseases (hepatologists)
- Doctors who treat infectious diseases
What you can do to Hepatitis B symptoms?
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.
Be aware of pre-appointment restrictions. When you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
Write down your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
Write down key personal information, including major stresses or recent life changes.
Make a list of all medications, vitamins and supplements you take.
Consider taking a family member or friend along. Someone who accompanies you may help you remember the information you receive.
Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Listing questions for your doctor can help you make the most of your time together. For hepatitis B infection, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
Other than the most likely cause, what are other possible causes for my symptoms or condition?
What tests do I need?
Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
Has the hepatitis B damaged my liver or caused other complications, such as kidney problems?
What is the best course of action?
What are the alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
Are there restrictions that I need to follow?
Should I see a specialist?
Should my family be tested for hepatitis B?
How can I protect people around me from hepatitis B?
Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What websites do you recommend?
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, including:
When did your symptoms begin?
Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
How severe are your symptoms?
What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
Have you ever had a blood transfusion?
Do you inject drugs?
Have you had unprotected sex?
How many sexual partners have you had?
Have you been diagnosed with hepatitis?
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