When should you worry about jaundice if you have hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B can inflame liver cells and interfere with bilirubin processing, causing yellow eyes or skin, dark urine and pale stools. Nausea, poor appetite, tiredness and discomfort beneath the ribs may occur too. Jaundice can appear during a flare of liver inflammation, but it needs assessment because liver function can change.

A clinician may review your symptoms, examine you and arrange liver blood tests. Tell them whether hepatitis B is recent or longstanding, and mention every medicine, supplement and medical condition.

Arrange prompt medical advice when jaundice appears or becomes more noticeable. Drink fluids if you can, eat small regular meals, avoid alcohol, and check before taking pain medicines or supplements. Do not stop prescribed hepatitis treatment without medical advice. Keep a record of urine, stool, pain, vomiting and alertness changes.

Use emergency care for confusion, marked sleepiness, fainting, severe weakness, repeated vomiting, significant bleeding, severe abdominal pain or inability to keep fluids down. Seek urgent review for rapidly deepening jaundice, very reduced urination, fever or a sudden decline. These signs can indicate serious liver dysfunction or another complication.

Ask whether this could be a hepatitis B flare, which liver tests are needed, whether medicines need review, and how soon follow-up should occur. Ask which changes in alertness, bleeding or vomiting mean emergency care.