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7 Most common symptoms to identify Hepatitis B

According to the Hepatitis B Foundation, hepatitis B virus spreads by itself via body fluids including used needles, unprotected sex, from mother to infant at the time of delivery, or blood to blood contact. It causes inflammation of liver. There are two kinds of Hepatitis B infections including acute infection and chronic infection. Usually, people suffering from Hepatitis B virus infection show little to no symptoms. In many cases, the infected person doesn’t even feel that he is suffering from any problem. When your body cannot defeat Hepatitis B virus, then the infection becomes chronic.

Hepatitis B

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, infants and children are at a high risk to suffer from chronic Hepatitis B infection. If left untreated, the child or infant can develop liver cancer or cirrhosis of liver. One of the common symptom of liver cancer that is visible on infant’s skin is in the pattern of veins that look like a spider’s web. According medical professionals, it is known as spider angiomas. Here are certain symptoms that you may encounter in a person suffering from hepatitis B infection.

1. Liver Damage

Liver is one of the important and largest organ in human body. A person who is infected with hepatitis B virus can suffer from liver damage. Numerous people with hepatitis B virus may not show any sign or symptom of the disease, but may be infected from more than 30 years. With the passage of time, 15 percent to 20 percent people with long term HBV may develop chronic liver problems such as cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver damage or liver failure. When left untreated and undiagnosed, the hepatitis B virus infection can become a life-long complication. Symptoms of chronic liver problems are abnormal bleeding, seizures, jaundice and vomiting. Cirrhosis and fibrosis can affect the ability of liver to regenerate. It can also lead to death.

2. Jaundice

HPV infection can be caused by jaundice because both the diseases are linked with liver. The major signs and symptoms of jaundice include change in mucus membranes and skin color to yellowish. The white part of eyes also turn yellowish. This is mainly because of the excess amount of bilirubin in the blood. If a person is affected by Hepatitis B virus, his or her liver is unable to function properly that can lead to jaundice symptoms. However, proper diagnostic test are necessary to determine the exact cause. The skin of infants and children suffering from hepatitis B infection can take longer time to stop bleeding and it may bruise easily.

3. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea

Some early symptoms of hepatitis B are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. An early stage of hepatitis B with frequent throwing and feeling nauseated can be inflammation of liver. Be sure that a person suffering from such symptoms should take plenty of fluids because his or her body is already loosing water. If these symptoms become chronic with mild flu, then the patient needs to go for liver biopsy or blood test. These tests will confirm the prime cause of your sufferings. Extreme stomach pain can also indicate an infection by hepatitis B virus. Gastrointestinal symptoms are visible within 2 to 3 months after getting infected. Early symptoms indicating hepatitis B virus infection manifest in stomach problems including upset stomach, drop in appetite or abdominal pain.

4. Mild flu

Mild flu is an early symptom of hepatitis B infection. Flu is a respiratory tract infection of body that has symptoms like fatigue, bodyache, sneezing and headache. However, flu can be caused by various reasons, but if the symptoms arise after undergoing any kind of body piercing, using second hand needles or unprotected sex, then it is important that you consult your physician for diagnosis. Mild flu can be accompanied with headache, cough, bodyaches, chills and fever. If these symptoms are associated with other symptoms of hepatitis B only then you should go for diagnosis. It is because these symptoms are not exclusive to hepatitis B virus.

5. Light stool and dark urine

A most common symptom of hepatitis B infection is the excretion of pale and clay like stool and darkened urine. According to Epigee.org, urine of the sufferer may look tea colored and his or her bowel movements can appear grey. These symptoms of hepatitis B begin displaying anywhere between 9 to 21 weeks from the infection. These symptoms are more likely to display in adults than in infants. If such symptoms are visible, then you should go for suspected diagnostic test.

6. Fatigue

In simple words, fatigue is a feeling of exhaustion or tiredness. Generally, fatigue is caused by poor sleep, over work, boredom, worry or lack of exercise. Weakness and fatigue can be associated with hepatitis B virus infection. An increased amount of rest and sleep cannot decrease weakness and fatigue. According to World Health Organization, fatigue associated with HBV infection can be chronic. Infants or kids who are suffering from weakness and fatigue may hardly appear awake and may find it difficult to make eye contacts. People suffering from fatigue because of hepatitis B infection, can feel too tired and upset. They don’t feel hungry and avoid their timely meals.

7. Sore throat

Sore throat is also known as pharyngitis. It is a common symptom of hepatitis B virus. Usually, sore throat can be caused by several other conditions mainly because of upper respiratory infections or common cold. Other symptoms associated with sore throat include cough, runny nose, headache, muscles and joints pain and light sensitivity. Generally, these symptoms become visible in an average span of 90 days after incubation period. Sore throat can be acute pharyngitis or chronic pharyngitis. Sore throat is not an exclusive symptom of hepatitis B virus infection. Therefore, if it is associated with other symptoms of hepatitis B infection, then blood test is highly recommended for diagnosis.

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