Situation and vulnerability
Transmission may occur at birth, during sexual contact, or through contaminated blood and non-sterile equipment.
Signs and limits of their interpretation
A recent infection may not give any symptoms. When they exist, fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine or jaundice may occur. The absence of symptoms does not exclude chronic infection or the need for liver monitoring.
Diagnosis and monitoring
Blood tests distinguish different markers of infection and immune response. Their combination interprets with vaccine history and context. A follow-up assessment can assess liver disease and guide follow-up or treatment.
Check these benchmarks in the WHO reference →
Prevention and care
Vaccination, equipment safety and screening indicated reduce the risk. Follow-up to a chronic infection is medical.
Practical issues
Can a person without symptoms be infected?
Yes. Screening is based on professionally interpreted analyses, particularly during pregnancy or after relevant exposure.
Can a person without jaundice have hepatitis B?
Yes. Many infections are silent. The search for an infection is based on appropriate tests, not on the colour of the skin.
Preparing for an exchange with a professional
- Previous results with date and exact name of markers
- Evidence of vaccination and exposure to blood
- Pregnancy, ongoing treatment and liver follow-up already performed
Bring the full minutes and dates. This information facilitates evaluation; its collection must not delay an urgent appeal.
Image generated by artificial intelligence. Fictive scene; it does not represent the infectious status of a person.
Organize my dates, documents and questions →
Related fact sheets
These sheets share ways or contexts of exhibition in our catalogue. This reconciliation does not establish a differential diagnosis.
- HIV infection
- Hepatitis C
- Cytomegalovirus infection
- Infection with parvovirus B19
- Zika virus infection
- Genital chlamydia
Compare Hepatitis B with associated sheets →
Return to directory file →