Jaundice Symptoms
A person with jaundice may experience any of the following signs and symptoms
- Pale-colored stools
- Dark urine
- Itchy skin
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Headache
The disease, hepatitis B, is contagious. HBV, the viral cause of hepatitis B, is transmitted person-to-person by
Moreover, hepatitis B can be transferred through sexual contact, sharing needles, or from mother to baby at the time of birth.
A person with jaundice may experience any of the following signs and symptoms
The signs and symptoms of hepatitis B vary with age; most children under 5 and immunosuppressed adults do not show symptoms with initial infection. However, individuals about 5 years and older have a 30%-50% chance of having initial signs and symptoms of the infection that may include the following:
The incubation period (from time of exposure to HBV to symptom development) is long for hepatitis B - the average time to onset of symptoms is about 90, days but may range from 60-150 days. Acute hepatitis B symptoms may last from several weeks up to about 6 months. Your physician can confirm hepatitis B infection by studies of the blood; hepatitis B antigens (HBsAg) can be detected as well as antibodies (anti-HBs) that are developed against hepatitis B antigens. Other similar tests are used to determine the individual's infection status.
Hepatitis B is spread person-to-person by methods that usually involve skin puncture or mucosal contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. For example:
Fortunately, HBV is not spread through food or beverages, breastfeeding, casual contact like hugging, handholding, or sneezing (as long as no blood from an infected person accompanies these activities).
Not all patients with hepatitis B require treatment, which is generally used in more advanced disease. There are multiple anti-viral agents currently available that are effective in controlling the infection. Your physician will determine if you are a candidate for treatment, and if so, with which agent. Although a commercially available drug is not yet available to cure hepatitis B, researchers in Australia are currently studying an anticancer drug, birinapant. The drug is in clinical trials to determine its potential ability to cure hepatitis B.
However, vaccines against HBV are available; they contain no live virus and can be given to infants, children and pregnant females; the vaccines can protect most individuals from getting HBV infection.
Individuals that get infected with HBV and do not remain chronically infected can become HBsAg-negative about 15 weeks after onset of symptoms. However, patients are advised to consult their physician to interpret the results of HBV blood tests. The majority of adults recover from hepatitis B; after several months they become non-contagious and are considered to be cured. Unfortunately, about 2% of adults and more than 90% of children under age 1 do not clear the infection and develop chronic hepatitis B infection. For this reason, HBV vaccine is urged for all infants and for individuals that are exposed to hepatitis B and have not been vaccinated.
Any infant, child, or adult that has not been vaccinated against HBV should be vaccinated; especially if they have had any close association with HBV-infected individuals.
An individual with chronic hepatitis B infection is advised to
Discuss diet, lifestyle changes, and ways to prevent transmission of their disease to others with your health-care professional.
Symptoms include yellowing of the skin (jaundice), itching, and fatigue.
The prognosis is good for some people with cirrhosis of the liver, and the survival can be up to 12 years; however the life expectancy is about 6 months to 2 years for people with severe cirrhosis with major complications.
Labyrinthitis is inflammation of the labyrinth (the part of the ear responsible for balance and hearing). Doctors do not know the exact cause of labyrinthitis; however, they often are associated viral infections of the inner ear. Symptoms of labyrinthitis are ear pain or earache, ear discharge, problems with balance and walking, ringing in the ears, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and vertigo. Viral infections associated with labyrinthitis are contagious.
Home remedies may help labyrinthitis symptoms and signs. Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medication may treat inner ear infections, labyrinthitis symptoms like vertigo and nausea, and help ear pain.