Symptoms
Hepatitis B does not always cause obvious symptoms. Children are less likely than adults to have symptoms, but they are more likely than adults to develop chronic hepatitis B after an acute infection.
Symptoms of acute hepatitis B include:
- Jaundice
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Dark urine
- Joint pain
Symptoms of acute hepatitis B generally appear 3 months after you have been exposed to the virus and may last for several weeks to 6 months.
People with chronic hepatitis B may show no symptoms for 2 to 3 decades. However, about 15 to 25 percent of those chronically infected may develop serious liver disease that is not apparent at first. Chronic infection can ultimately lead to long-term liver damage, liver cancer, or liver failure—all of which can be fatal.