If chronic hepatitis B is a silent disease, why do I have symptoms?
There have been several studies about symptoms of hepatitis B, and these studies clearly show that people living with hepatitis B commonly experience fatigue, tiredness, muscle pain, abdominal pain (especially above where the liver is), nausea and vomiting.
It is important that you share any symptoms you have with your doctor to help manage these symptoms, and people in your close circle (family and friends), so they can understand your daily challenges, and support you in the most appropriate way.
Even if a person has normal liver enzymes and low or undetectable hepatitis B viral load, they might still feel symptoms related to their hepatitis B – although not all healthcare providers recognize that people with normal lab tests can still feel sick from their hepatitis B. Hepatitis B Foundation conducted a global survey about the lived experiences of hepatitis B, and respondents from around the globe shared the physical symptoms they experience. It is also very important to ensure that other conditions are also ruled out such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, gastrointestinal issues or even H. pylori, all of which are also common globally and may have symptoms associated with them.
You may also want to join the free online Hep B Community to talk with others, ask questions, and learn from global experts about their experiences and how they manage these symptoms.
Find more Frequently Asked Questions here.
Page updated 12/27/2022