What should you know about hepatitis B?

The virus can pass through infected blood or certain body fluids, including during sex, from parent to baby around birth, or through shared needles and unsterile equipment. Some people have no symptoms. Others develop tiredness, nausea, reduced appetite, discomfort under the ribs, yellowing of the skin or eyes, pale stools, or dark urine. Fatigue and dark urine can have many causes, so they do not identify hepatitis B by themselves.

An infection that clears is different from chronic hepatitis B, which remains in the body and can gradually injure the liver. A clinician uses the history, examination, and blood tests to assess infection and liver health. A liver function test can help show how the liver is working, but it is interpreted alongside hepatitis-specific tests.

Arrange medical advice if you may have been exposed, have symptoms, or are concerned after travel or a medical procedure. Avoid sharing razors, toothbrushes, needles, or anything that may carry blood. Cover cuts, and use condoms until a clinician has explained your status and advised on protection for partners.

Ask about hepatitis B vaccination if you are not protected. If infection is confirmed, keep follow-up appointments so liver health and the need for treatment can be reviewed. Do not stop prescribed medicine or start supplements marketed for liver cleansing without checking first.

Seek urgent medical help for confusion, extreme sleepiness, vomiting that prevents drinking, severe abdominal swelling, vomiting blood, black stools, or rapidly worsening yellow skin or eyes. Contact a clinician promptly after a possible blood exposure because assessment and preventive care may be time-sensitive.

Ask which hepatitis tests are needed, whether the infection appears recent or ongoing, how your liver results should be followed, whether household or sexual contacts need testing or vaccination, and which medicines or supplements should be avoided.