Symptoms

Most people do not have any symptoms. However some people experience:

  • loss of appetite
  • tiredness
  • joint aches and pains
  • feeling sick.

After many years some people develop symptoms of liver damage:

  • jaundice (yellow skin)
  • dark urine and pale stools
  • nausea
  • diarrhoea
  • stomach ache.

Getting tested

Hepatitis B can be detected from a simple blood test. This can be done by your GP or at a sexual health clinic.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment other than using painkillers to relive symptoms. If you have chronic Hepatitis B you will be referred to a liver specialist for monitoring and drug treatments.

Prevention

Always use a condom, especially with a new sexual partner. Avoid sharing needles if you inject drugs.

People who are at a higher risk of contracting hepatitis B will be offered a vaccination, including:

  • men who have sex with men
  • if you have a partner(s) from a country where hepatitis B is common
  • injecting drug users
  • if you have HIV or Hepatitis C.