The symptoms of both acute and chronic hepatitis B, which can range from mild to severe, include:
FeverFatigue and weaknessLoss of appetiteAbdominal painDark-colored urineClay-colored stoolsJaundice (yellow coloring in the skin or eyes)Joint pain
Learn More About Signs and Symptoms of Hepatitis B
People who were born in countries with high rates of hepatitis BPeople who were born in the United States, but weren’t vaccinated as infants, to parents who were from countries with high rates of hepatitis BMen who have sex with menPeople who work in a job where they’re exposed to blood (such as healthcare workers)People who inject drugsPeople who have HIVPeople who live with people who have hepatitis BPeople who are sexually active with someone who has hepatitis BPregnant womenInfants who are born to mothers with hepatitis BPeople with certain health conditions, such as hepatitis C or end-stage renal disease
Prognosis of Hepatitis B
The risk that an acute hepatitis B infection will become chronic (and therefore, cause serious complications) decreases as a person gets older. About 90 percent of infants who get hepatitis B will develop a chronic infection, according to the CDC; the virus will become chronic in about 25 to 50 percent of children ages 1 to 5. Of the people who get hepatitis B as a child, about 25 percent may die from cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Prevention of Hepatitis B
The CDC provides information for both medical providers and the public about hepatitis B, as well as statistics on national trends in infection rates. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) A part of the National Institutes of Health, the NIDDK conducts research about liver disease (among other conditions) and keeps the public informed about hepatitis B. Hepatitis B Foundation This nonprofit advocacy group works to improve quality of life for people with Hepatitis B. On their site, you’ll find news on the latest research, links to online support groups, and more. Additional reporting by Joseph Bennington-Castro.
