Hepatitis B Symptoms and signs

• Appetite loss
  
• Feeling tired (fatigue)
  
• Nausea and vomiting
  
• Itching all over the body
  
• Pain over the location of the liver (on the right side of the abdomen, under the lower rib cage)
  
• Jaundice (a condition in which the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow in color)
  
• Dark urine (the color of cola or tea)
  
• Pale-colored stools (grayish or clay colored)

Many types of acute viral hepatitis such ashepatitis A and hepatitis C have symptoms that are indistinguishable from hepatitis B.

Fulminate hepatitis is a severe form of acute hepatitis that can be life-threatening if not treated right away. Fortunately, fulminate hepatitis is rare. The symptoms of fulminate hepatitis develop very suddenly and may include:

• Mental disturbances such as confusion, lethargy, extreme sleepiness or hallucinations (hepatic encephalopathy)
  
• Sudden collapse with fatigue
  
• Jaundice
  
• Swelling of the abdomen

Prolonged nausea and vomiting can cause dehydration. Individuals with dehydration may notice these symptoms:

• Extreme weakness
  
• Confusion or trouble concentrating
  
• Headache
  
• Lack of urination
  
• Irritability

Symptoms of liver damage may include the following:

• Fluid retention causing swelling of the belly (ascites) and sometimes the legs
  
• Weight gain due to ascites
  
• Persistent jaundice
  
• Loss of appetite, weight loss, wasting
  
• Vomiting with blood in the vomit
  
• Bleeding from the nose, mouth, or rectum; or blood in the stool