Symptoms of Hepatitis B
The liver is a vital organ that has many functions. These include a role in the immune system, production of clotting factors, producing bile for digestion; storing nutrients including sugars, fats and minerals for use by the body later; processing medications; and breaking down toxic substances. Patients with chronic hepatitis B develop symptoms in proportion to the degree of abnormalities in these functions. The signs and symptoms of chronic hepatitis B vary widely depending on the severity of the liver damage. They range from few and relatively mild signs and symptoms to signs and symptoms of severe liver disease (cirrhosis or liver failure).

Most individuals with chronic hepatitis B remain symptom free for many years or decades. During this time, the patient's liver function blood tests usually are normal or only mildly abnormal. Some patients may deteriorate and develop inflammation or symptoms, putting them at risk for developing cirrhosis. If you do have symptoms, they may be similar to those of flu and include:
-- loss of appetite
-- feeling sick and vomiting
-- a reluctance to drink alcohol or smoke
-- a mild fever
-- tiredness
-- aching limbs and/or joint pains

You may also develop jaundice, which makes your skin and the whites of your eyes yellow. This is caused by a yellow-coloured substance in your blood called bilirubin. Bilirubin is usually broken down by your liver, but this doesn't happen if your liver is affected by hepatitis. Jaundice can also cause your urine to darken and your skin to itch.