What are the early symptoms of hepatitis B?

Many people with newly acquired hepatitis B have no symptoms at all, or they may be very mild and flu-like - loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue, muscle or joint aches, mild fever, and possibly jaundice (yellowish tinge to the skin).

How do people get hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is found in blood, seminal fluid and vaginal fluid. The following situations increase the risk of transmitting hepatitis B: sexual contact with an infected individual, living in the same household with an infected individual, contact with infected blood including tattoo/body piercing instruments, and an infected mother to her newborn during delivery.

What is the difference between acute and chronic hepatitis b infection?

When you are having symptoms for the first time, this is called acute hepatitis. Acute hepatitis lasts 6 weeks or less. Most people recover from the infection and have no long-lasting problems. Hepatitis B can become an illness that lasts a long time. This is called chronic hepatitis B. It lasts six months or longer. Chronic hepatitis occurs when the liver has been damaged from the acute illness and can't recover. Chronic hepatitis develops in 10% to 20% of people who have hepatitis B.

If I have been received the vaccination for hepatitis b, will it cause the test to be positive?

Depending on the test, a vaccination can cause a positive result. A positive result for the hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) test can indicate immunity to hepatitis B from the vaccination.

Will the hepatitis B vaccine protect me from hepatitis A and hepatitis C?

No. Hepatitis A and hepatitis C are different diseases caused by different viruses. There is a vaccine for hepatitis A, but there is no vaccine for hepatitis C at this time.