Hepatitis means ‘inflammation of the liver’. Hepatitis B (also referred to as hep B) is caused by the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). This is is an infection that can lead to serious liver problems. The virus is found in blood and to a lesser degree, it can also be found in body fluids such as semen and vaginal secretions.
SYMPTOMS OF HEPATITIS B
Some people who are infected with the hepatitis B virus have mild, flu-like symptoms while some do not become sick at all. Children who are infected are less likely to have an illness or get sick after getting hepatitis B than adults. (However, the health consequences for people who were infected with hepatitis B in childhood can be more serious in the long term.)
Symptoms of acute hepatitis B may not be visible or noticed for months, but common symptoms includes:
- Loss of appetite.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Pain in the liver (under the right ribcage).
- Fever.
- Fatigue.
- Dark coloured urine.
- Abdominal discomfort.
- General body weakness.
- Pain in the joints and muscles.
- Jaundice (the eyes and skin become yellow).
Any symptoms of hepatitis B need urgent evaluation. Symptoms of acute hepatitis B are worse in people over the age of 60.
Normally, these health problems disappear in a few weeks, but even when the person feels much better, they may still be infectious. Most adults who become infected with the hepatitis B virus recover completely and do not become infected again. A few people become very ill in the time just after infection and need to go to hospital; some may even die.
Alert your doctor immediately if you’ve been exposed to Hepatitis B, you just may be able to prevent infection.
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