What should you know about chronic active hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a virus that can remain in the body and affect liver cells. In active chronic infection, viral activity and the liver’s response may cause ongoing inflammation. Some people feel well, while others notice [Fatigue](/symptoms/fatigue/) or [Dark Urine](/symptoms/dark-urine/), especially when liver function is affected.

A diagnosis and treatment decision cannot be made from one symptom or one result. Clinicians combine hepatitis B blood markers, viral activity testing, liver enzymes, examination, and sometimes imaging. The aim is to understand liver health and reduce the chance of progressive injury.

Keep every follow-up appointment, take prescribed antiviral medicine exactly as directed, and do not stop it without medical advice. Avoid alcohol and check before using supplements or over-the-counter medicines because some products can stress the liver.

Ask which monitoring schedule fits your results. A [Liver Function Test](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/liver-function-test/) may be part of follow-up. Household and sexual contacts can ask about [Hepatitis B Vaccination](/treatments/preventive-care-and-vaccination/hepatitis-b-vaccination/). Do not share razors, toothbrushes, or anything that may carry blood.

Seek urgent medical care for yellowing of the eyes or skin, severe abdominal swelling or pain, repeated vomiting, marked drowsiness, confusion, vomiting blood, or black stools. Contact your clinician promptly if fatigue suddenly worsens or if you may have missed important antiviral doses.

Ask whether your infection is active, what your liver tests and viral markers show, and whether treatment is recommended now. Clarify how often monitoring is needed, how to protect close contacts, which medicines or supplements to avoid, and what symptoms should trigger urgent review.