Hepatitis B

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Aggressive hepatitis	Digestive system	Gianotti-Crosti syndrome on the leg	Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B virus

• Fatigue, malaise, joint aches, and low-grade fever
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain
• Jaundice and dark urine due to increased bilirubin

• Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) -- this represents the first viral marker present in blood tests after the patient is infected. It usually disappears from the blood in 1-2 months.
• Hepatitis B core antibody (Anti-HBc) -- this is usually detected within 1-2 weeks of the appearance of hepatitis B surface antigen.
• Hepatitis B surface antibody (Anti-HBs) -- this is found both in those who have been immunized and those who have recovered from hepatitis infection.
• Both hepatitis B surface antibody and core antibody persist indefinitely in the blood of patients who have recovered from hepatitis B.
• Liver enzyme (transaminase) blood levels may be elevated due to liver damage.
• Albumin levels may be low and prothrombin time may be prolonged due to severe liver failure.

Review Date: 01/23/2006
Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.