Identify: HBV

What are the symptoms of hepatitis B?

Most people do not have symptoms when they are infected with hepatitis B, meaning they can inadvertently spread it to others. Some people who are infected will have symptoms and seek medical attention, but many will think they just have the flu and ignore the symptoms. About 1 percent of those infected will develop a life-threatening condition called  “fulminant hepatitis,” which can be fatal and result in liver failure and death. Although this response is rare, fulminant hepatitis develops suddenly and requires immediate medical attention.

Common symptoms of hepatitis B infection

• Fever, fatigue, muscle or joint pain
• Loss of appetite
• Mild nausea and vomiting 
• Stomach pain
• Pale or light colored stools
• Dark, tea colored urine

Serious symptoms that require immediate medical attention

• Severe nausea and vomiting
• Yellow eyes and skin (called “jaundice”) 
• Bloated or swollen stomach

It is recommended that if you think you have been exposed to the hepatitis B virus, you should get tested. You should also get tested if you belong to any of the following groups:

• Anyone seeking protection from the HBV infection
• Healthcare and public safety workers
• Household, sex, or needle-sharing contacts of persons infected with HBV
• Intravenous drug users
• Those with more than one sex partner
• Men who have sex with men
• Those infected with HIV and/or other sexually transmitted diseases
• Those with end-stage renal disease or chronic liver disease
• Travelers to regions where hepatitis B is common (Asia, Africa, South America, the Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East)

What tests are performed to diagnose hepatitis B?

Infection with the hepatitis B virus is easily diagnosed through a simple blood test. Three things are tested for in this single blood test: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), Hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) and Hepatitis B core antibody(HBcAb).

Interpretation	HBsAg result	HBsAb result	HBcAb result
Not immune, not protected	–	–	–
Immune controlled, protected	–	+	+
Immune, protected	–	+	–
Infected	+	–	+
Could be infected	–	–	+