Hepatitis B Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

These may appear about 25–180 days after you are exposed to the virus. The most common symptoms are:

Yellowing skin and eyes ( jaundice )
Fatigue that lasts for weeks or even months
Abdominal pain in the area of the liver (upper right side)
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Joint pain
Low-grade fever
Dark urine and light-colored stool
Widespread itching
Rash

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Hepatitis B is diagnosed with blood tests. These blood tests are also used to monitor its effects on the liver.

For chronic cases, a liver biopsy may be needed. A biopsy is the removal of a sample of liver tissue for testing.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2025 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.