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The Signs of HBV

The hepatitis B virus (HBV), more than 100 times more infectious than HIV, each year accounts for the deaths of nearly 1.2 million people worldwide from hepatitis-related illnesses. HBV damages liver cells and leads to cirrhosis and an increased incidence of liver cancer. Signs and symptoms of HBV usually appear two to three months after infection, but sometimes take up to six months, or not appear at all.

  1. Fatigue and Joint Pain

    • Fatigue and joint pain are common symptoms of Hepatitis B. Fatigue, an overwhelming lack of energy or motivation, is also a normal reaction to stress, exertion, boredom or insufficient sleep. Joint pain also results from other conditions, such as exertion. The reason patients with hepatitis B suffer from joint pain is unclear, but it is perhaps a product of inflammation caused by a reaction to the antibodies produced by the body to fight the virus.

    Loss of Appetite and Abdominal Pain

    • Hepatitis B also causes changes in normal appetite. This in turn results in unintentional weight loss. Often patients with hepatitis B complain of abdominal pain, particularly on the upper right-hand side just below the ribs, where the liver is located. Abdominal pain with hepatitis B is caused by inflammation of the liver.

    Nausea and Vomiting

    • Nausea, commonly described as feeling the urge to vomit, and vomiting are symptoms that range from mild and flu-like to severe and debilitating. Patients who suffer from frequent vomiting are at risk of dehydration. Dehydration creates further problems, such as headache, weakness, increased heart rate and dizziness. Dehydration also places additional stress on the liver. Patients with hepatitis B who experience severe nausea and vomiting require IV fluids in the hospital to prevent dehydration.

    Dark Urine and Jaundice

    • Damage caused to the liver by the hepatitis B virus renders it unable to remove bilirubin from the blood and convert it to be processed and excreted, resulting in jaundice. Dark urine is one of the first signs of jaundice that becomes more noticeable with a yellowing of the skin, eyes and mucus membranes as bilirubin levels increase. Discoloration begins yellow and deepens to brown as bilirubin continues to build.

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