What should you know about side effects of hepatitis B?

Some people have no noticeable symptoms. When symptoms occur, they can reflect inflammation of the liver and may include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, low-grade fever, joint aches, discomfort under the right ribs, dark urine, pale stools, or jaundice. A symptom such as dark urine can have causes other than hepatitis B, so it needs context and assessment rather than self-diagnosis.

If hepatitis B remains active over time, liver inflammation can lead to scarring and reduced liver function. The risk and course vary between people. Blood tests can help show whether the virus is active and how the liver is responding; a <a href="/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/liver-function-test/">Liver Function Test</a> is one part of that assessment. Read more about the infection on the <a href="/conditions/hepatitis-b/">Hepatitis B</a> condition page.

Arrange a medical review if you have symptoms, a positive hepatitis B test, or a known exposure. A clinician may review your medicines, order blood tests, and decide whether monitoring or antiviral treatment is appropriate. Do not stop prescribed treatment without advice. Avoid alcohol while your liver is being assessed, and check before taking over-the-counter pain medicines, supplements, or herbal products because some can strain the liver.

Rest, drink fluids if you can, and choose small meals when nausea or poor appetite makes eating difficult. Do not share razors, toothbrushes, needles, or anything that may carry blood. Household and sexual contacts can ask about testing and <a href="/treatments/preventive-care-and-vaccination/hepatitis-b-vaccination/">Hepatitis B Vaccination</a>.

Seek urgent medical help for confusion, unusual sleepiness, fainting, severe or increasing abdominal swelling, repeated vomiting, inability to keep fluids down, vomiting blood, black stools, or yellowing that is rapidly worsening. These signs can indicate serious liver dysfunction or bleeding and should not wait for a routine appointment.

Contact a clinician promptly for new jaundice, persistent <a href="/symptoms/fatigue/">Fatigue</a>, worsening appetite, or <a href="/symptoms/dark-urine/">Dark Urine</a>, especially if you already know you have hepatitis B or have recently been exposed.

Ask which hepatitis B tests you need, whether your liver shows inflammation or scarring, and how often monitoring is needed. If treatment is offered, ask what benefit is expected, which unwanted effects should be reported, and whether any of your current medicines or supplements need changing.