Acute hepatitis B

It is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus.

It is transmitted by contact with contaminated blood or biological fluids. It is most frequently transmitted by contact with blood from a wound or sexually through contact with infected body fluids.

At the beginning, the usual symptoms of other viral infections appear: tiredness, muscle pain, low fever, headache, stomach pain, nausea and diarrhea. Later, characteristic symptoms appear: yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes (jaundice), darker than normal urine (choluria) and pale stools (acholia).

The diagnostic suspicion is clinical, by interrogation and physical examination. It is confirmed by blood tests (serology).

Symptoms should be treated with analgesics, antipyretics and antiemetics, ensuring proper hydration. Very severe cases or chronic infection can be treated with antivirals.