Acute hepatitis B

Inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus.

It is spread through contact with contaminated blood or body fluids. It is often transmitted through blood from a wound or sexually by contact with infected bodily fluids.

Initial symptoms are typical of other viral infections: tiredness, muscle aches, low-grade fever, headache, stomach aches, nausea and diarrhoea. Characteristic symptoms then appear: yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes (jaundice), darker-than-usual urine (choluria) and pale stools (achalasia).

The diagnosis is made by clinical suspicion, interview and physical examination. This is confirmed by blood tests (serology).

Symptoms should be treated with analgesics, antipyretics and antiemetics, and proper hydration should be ensured. Very severe or chronic infections may be treated with antiviral drugs.