Acute Hepatitis B

What is Acute Hepatitis B?

Acute Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus. This virus attacks liver cells and causes inflammation. The infection is called acute when it is new and lasts less than six months.

Your liver filters toxins from your blood and helps digest food. When the Hepatitis B virus infects liver cells, it disrupts these important jobs. Most adults who get Hepatitis B will clear the infection on their own within a few months. However, some people develop chronic infection that lasts for years.

The virus spreads through contact with infected blood or body fluids. This can happen through sexual contact, sharing needles, or from mother to baby during birth. You cannot get Hepatitis B from casual contact like hugging or sharing food.

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Symptoms

Yellowing of skin and eyes, called jaundice
Extreme tiredness that does not improve with rest
Dark urine that looks like tea or cola
Pale or clay-colored bowel movements
Fever and chills
Loss of appetite and nausea
Vomiting and stomach pain
Joint pain and muscle aches

Many people with acute Hepatitis B have no symptoms at all, especially in the first few weeks. Some people feel like they have a mild flu. Symptoms usually appear one to four months after exposure to the virus.

Causes and risk factors

Hepatitis B spreads when blood or body fluids from an infected person enter your body. Common ways this happens include unprotected sex with an infected partner, sharing needles or syringes, accidental needle sticks in healthcare settings, and sharing personal items like razors or toothbrushes. Pregnant women can pass the virus to their babies during delivery.

Your risk is higher if you have multiple sexual partners, use injectable drugs, work in healthcare, live with someone who has Hepatitis B, or travel to regions where the virus is common. Men who have sex with men and people on kidney dialysis also face increased risk. Getting a tattoo or piercing with unsterilized equipment can expose you to the virus.

How it's diagnosed

Doctors diagnose acute Hepatitis B with blood tests that look for specific markers of infection. The Hepatitis B Surface Antigen test shows if you currently have the virus in your blood. The Hepatitis B Core Antibody IgM test detects antibodies your immune system makes during a recent or acute infection. These tests together confirm whether you have a new Hepatitis B infection.

Rite Aid offers Hepatitis B testing through our add-on panel at Quest Diagnostics locations nationwide. Your doctor may also check your liver function with other blood tests to see how well your liver is working. In some cases, imaging tests like ultrasound help assess liver damage.

Treatment options

Rest and avoid alcohol to let your liver heal
Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
Eat small, nutritious meals if you have nausea
Avoid medications that stress the liver, including acetaminophen in high doses
Antiviral medications may be prescribed for severe cases
Regular monitoring with blood tests to track recovery
Vaccination is not helpful once you already have acute infection
Notify sexual partners and close contacts so they can get tested

Frequently asked questions

Most people with acute Hepatitis B recover completely within four to six months. Your immune system usually clears the virus on its own during this time. However, about 5 to 10 percent of adults develop chronic infection that lasts longer than six months. Regular blood tests help track whether the infection is clearing or becoming chronic.

Yes, you can spread the virus even if you feel perfectly healthy. The virus appears in your blood several weeks before symptoms start. This is why testing after potential exposure is so important. You remain contagious until the virus clears from your blood, which blood tests can confirm.

There is no specific cure that kills the Hepatitis B virus. Your immune system must clear the infection naturally. Most healthy adults do this successfully within a few months. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and supporting your liver while your body fights the infection.

Acute Hepatitis B is a new infection that lasts less than six months. Your body usually clears it on its own. Chronic Hepatitis B means the virus stays in your body for six months or longer. Chronic infection can lead to serious liver problems like cirrhosis or liver cancer over time.

Yes, the Hepatitis B vaccine is highly effective at preventing infection. The vaccine requires three shots over six months for full protection. If you get vaccinated before exposure to the virus, you are about 95 percent protected. The vaccine cannot treat an infection that has already started.

Focus on easy-to-digest foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Eat smaller meals throughout the day if you feel nauseous. Avoid fatty, fried, or processed foods that are harder for your liver to process. Stay away from alcohol completely, as it causes additional liver damage.

See a doctor immediately if you develop jaundice, severe fatigue, or stomach pain. Get medical help if you have been exposed to the virus through sex or needle sharing. Anyone with symptoms of liver problems needs blood tests right away. Early diagnosis helps you get proper care and avoid spreading the virus.

Most people who clear acute Hepatitis B have no permanent liver damage. However, severe acute infection can rarely cause sudden liver failure. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate hospital care. People who develop chronic infection face higher risk of long-term liver damage.

Get tested right away after potential exposure, even if you have no symptoms. Test again at six weeks, three months, and six months to see if infection develops. Your doctor may recommend different timing based on your situation. These follow-up tests show whether you cleared the virus or developed chronic infection.

Light activity like walking is usually fine if you feel up to it. Avoid intense exercise until your symptoms improve and your doctor says it is safe. Listen to your body and rest when you feel tired. Your liver needs energy to heal, so do not push yourself too hard during recovery.