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Sexually Transmitted DiseasesSymptoms of hepatitisMany people infected with viral hepatitis have no symptoms. For example, about one-third of people infected with HBV have a completely "silent" disease. When symptoms are present, they may be mild or severe. The most common early symptoms are mild fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Later symptoms may include dark and foamy urine and pale feces; abdominal pain; and yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice).About 15-20% of those infected develops short-term arthritis-like problems as part of a more severe case of hepatitis. Another one-third of those with hepatitis B develops only mild flu-like symptoms without jaundice. Very severe (fulminant) hepatitis B is rare, but life threatening. Early signs of fulminant hepatitis, such as personality changes and agitated behavior, require immediate medical attention. Some people infected with HBV or HCV become chronic carriers of the virus, although they may have no symptoms. There are an estimated 1.5 million HBV carriers in the U.S. and 300 million carriers worldwide. Children are at greatest risk. About 90 percent of babies who become infected at birth with HBV, and up to half of youngsters who are infected before age 5, become chronic carriers. It is estimated that there are between 2 and 5 million HCV chronic carriers. At least half of all HCV carriers will develop chronic liver disease, regardless of whether or not they have symptoms.
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