What should you know about being born with hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a virus that can remain in the body and affect the liver. Some people have no symptoms for a long time, while others develop tiredness, dark urine, nausea, or yellowing of the skin or eyes. A clinician can assess whether the infection is active and how much strain it is placing on the liver.

Long-term follow-up may include blood tests, liver imaging, and review by a liver specialist. A liver function test helps assess how the liver is working, but it is only one part of the assessment.

Arrange ongoing care with a clinician familiar with hepatitis B, even when you feel well. Keep appointments and take any prescribed medicine exactly as directed. Avoid sharing razors, toothbrushes, or anything that may carry blood, and cover open cuts. Sexual partners and household contacts should ask a clinician whether they need testing or vaccination.

Protect your liver by discussing alcohol, medicines, supplements, and other infections before using them. Do not stop treatment or skip monitoring because symptoms have settled. Read more about Hepatitis B and Hepatitis B Vaccination.

Contact your care team promptly if you develop yellow skin or eyes, worsening abdominal swelling, persistent vomiting, marked sleepiness, confusion, or bleeding that is difficult to stop. Seek urgent help for severe confusion, vomiting blood, black stools, or sudden severe illness. New dark urine or unusual fatigue also deserve clinical review, particularly if they persist or occur with jaundice.

Ask whether the infection is active, how often your liver should be checked, whether treatment is needed, and which family or household contacts should be tested or vaccinated. Ask which medicines and supplements are suitable for you.