Hepatitis B: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
Hepatitis B - A viral infection of the liver spread through blood and body fluids; preventable by vaccine.
What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It can be acute (short-term) or chronic (lifelong). Chronic infection can slowly scar the liver, leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Many people do not know they are infected. A safe and effective vaccine has been available for decades and is part of routine childhood immunisation in most countries.
Causes and Risk Factors
- From mother to baby at birth
- Unsafe injections or reused needles and razors
- Unscreened blood transfusion
- Unprotected sex with an infected person
- Sharing toothbrushes or personal items that touch blood
Signs and Symptoms
- Often no symptoms
- Tiredness, nausea, poor appetite
- Yellow skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Dark urine and pale stools
- Pain in the upper right abdomen
Red Flags: When to See a Doctor Urgently
- Deep jaundice with confusion or drowsiness
- Vomiting blood or black stools
- Swelling of the abdomen
- Easy bruising or bleeding
Diagnosis: Tests, Lab and Imaging
Blood tests include HBsAg (shows infection), anti-HBs (immunity), HBV DNA viral load and liver function tests. Ultrasound or elastography checks for liver scarring.
Treatment and Medicines
Acute infection usually needs supportive care. Chronic hepatitis B may be treated with antiviral medicines such as tenofovir or entecavir, which suppress the virus and protect the liver. Regular monitoring is essential even when treatment is not yet needed.
Emergency
If you notice any red-flag sign, call 1122 (Pakistan), 911 (USA), 999 (UK) or 112 (Europe), or go to the nearest emergency department. See our emergency first aid guide.
Complications
Cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer.
Prevention
- Hepatitis B vaccination
- Birth-dose vaccine for newborns
- Sterile needles and screened blood
- Do not share razors or toothbrushes
Outlook and Follow-up
Most adults clear acute infection. Chronic infection can be controlled long-term with monitoring and antivirals.
Patient Education
Write down your questions before appointments, bring a list of all medicines, and ask what results mean for you. Use our symptom checker to learn which departments relate to your symptoms. This Hepatitis B guide is educational and reviewed against WHO, CDC and NIH sources by the ghkh.site editorial team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a vaccine?
Yes, and it is highly effective.
Can hepatitis B be cured?
Antivirals control it well, but a complete cure is uncommon. Research is ongoing.
Can I spread it through food?
No. It spreads through blood and body fluids, not food or casual contact.
Sources
We summarise these sources in our own words. Mention of an organisation does not imply endorsement.