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.
