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Acute infection with hepatitis B virus is associated with acute viral hepatitis an illness that begins with general ill-health, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, body aches, mild fever, dark urine, and then progresses to development of jaundice. It has been noted that itchy skin has been an indication as a possible symptom of all hepatitis virus types. The illness lasts for a few weeks and then gradually improves in most affected people. A few patients may have more severe liver disease , and may die as a result of it. The infection may be entirely asymptomatic and may go unrecognized.

Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus may be either asymptomatic or may be associated with a chronic inflammation of the liver, leading to cirrhosis over a period of several years. This type of infection dramatically increases the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma. Chronic carriers are encouraged to avoid consuming alcohol as it increases their risk for cirrhosis and liver cancer. Hepatitis B virus has been linked to the development of Membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN).

Hepatitis B virus can cause an acute illness with symptoms that last several weeks, including yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), dark urine, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. People can take several months to a year to recover from the symptoms. HBV can also cause a chronic liver infection that can later develop into cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer.

It is possible to experience mild or no symptoms whatsoever, but even if this is the case the person’s faeces will still be infectious to others. Many people who become infected with HAV will have symptoms that include:

Hepatitis B Signs and Symptoms:

1.Abdominal pain.
2.Itchy skin;
3.Jaundice (yellow skin and whites of eyes, darker yellow urine and pale faeces);
4.Weight loss;
5.Loss of appetite;
6.ausea, vomiting and diarrhoea;
7.A short, mild, flu-like illness;

The infection usually clears in up to 2 months, but may occasionally recur or persist longer in some people. Once a person has been infected and their body has fought off the virus they are permanently immune. Occasionally symptoms may be severe and require monitoring in hospital.

There are rarely any complications with hepatitis A infection. Permanent damage to the liver is very unlikely, but in extremely rare cases the infection can be fatal, particularly in older people.

In many cases there are no symptoms in the early stages of hepatitis B infection. Many children and some adults do not develop any symptoms until complications, such as cirrhosis develop.

Symptoms of hepatitis B can include flu-like symptoms, fever, headache, nausea, muscle aches and weakness. Jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, also may occur. Other symptoms may include abdominal pain and dark colored urine.

Most adults recover from hepatitis B, gradually improving over a period of weeks to months. In some people, especially infants and children, and certain adults, hepatitis B can progress into chronic hepatitis and result in serious complications, such as cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, and liver failure.

Symptoms of liver failure include easy bruising, and a build-up of extra fluid in the legs (edema) or abdomen (ascites). Blood pressure can rise in the abdomen, resulting in portal hypertension, which causes the veins of the esophagus to swell. These bulging veins are called esophageal varices, and they can burst, leading to life-threatening hemorrhage.

In addition, the diseased liver may be unable to filter toxins, which can affect the brain. This is called encephalopathy, and it can result in symptoms, such as confusion, personality changes, or poor cognitive functioning.

Symptoms and signs of hepatitis B can range from none to minimal in the early stages of the illness, to jaundice (yellowing of the skin), nausea, abdominal pain, fever, and malaise in the acute phase. Appetite loss, fatigue, itching, dark urine and pale stools are some common symptoms.After the initial infection, carriers of hepatitis B usually have few symptoms.