What are the symptoms of hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B affects the liver and can be short-term or ongoing. When symptoms occur, they may include marked tiredness, reduced appetite, nausea, discomfort under the ribs, dark urine and yellowing of the skin or eyes. Because symptoms can be absent or nonspecific, their presence or absence does not establish whether someone has hepatitis B or how long it has been present.

Speak with a clinician if you develop symptoms or have had a possible exposure through blood or sexual contact. Testing may include a Liver Function Test alongside blood tests that look for hepatitis B infection and help clarify its phase. Do not donate blood while an infection is being assessed, and ask about Hepatitis B Vaccination if you or a household or sexual contact may need protection.

Get prompt medical attention for new jaundice, dark urine with worsening illness, repeated vomiting, severe abdominal pain, unusual drowsiness or confusion. Urgent assessment is also appropriate if you feel severely unwell after a possible exposure. Emergency care is needed for collapse, difficulty staying awake or other rapidly worsening symptoms.

Ask which hepatitis B tests you need, whether the infection could be recent or longstanding, how to protect people close to you, and whether vaccination or follow-up liver checks are recommended.