Symptoms and treatments for Hepatitis

Symptoms of Hepatitis B (WebMD, Center for Disease Control )

These symptoms vary with age:

• Feeling very tired/ fatigue

• Mild fever

• Headache

• loss of appetite

• Feeling sick to your stomach or vomiting

• Belly pain

• Diarrhea or constipation

• Muscle aches and joint pain

• Skin rash

• Yellowish eyes and skin (jaundice). Jaundice usually appears only after other symptoms have started to go away

• Nausea

• Dark urine

• Clay-colored bowel movements

• Joint pain

Treatments for Hepatitis B (WebMD, World Health Organization)

In most cases, hepatitis B goes away on its own, but studies show that symptoms can be reduced by resting, eating healthy foods, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding alcohol and drugs.

Some drugs prescribed for Chronic hepatitis B are called interferon or lamivudine, which can help some patients. However, interferon or lamivudine therapy costs thousands of dollars and will never be available to most patients in developing countries.

As with any treatments consult with your doctor.

Signs and Symptoms of Hepatitis C (Mayo Clinic)

Commonly, hepatitis C produces no signs or symptoms. When it does, it includes:

• slight fatigue

• nausea and vomiting

• muscle or joint pains

• jaundice (yellowing of your skin and eyes)

• low grade fever

Treatment for Hepatitis C (World Health Organization, Mayo Clinic)

Standard of care for hepatitis C is weekly injections of pegylated interferon alfa with doses of ribavirin. Ribavirin does not appear to be effective when used alone. There are many side effects and risks with this treatment so as with any medical treatments it is best to consult with your physician.