Acute HBV infections do not always cause symptoms, and the likelihood of signs and symptoms varies with a patient’s age and immune status. Acute HBV infections tend to be asymptomatic in children <5 years old, and in immunosuppressed adults, but are associated with signs and symptoms in up to half (25%-50%) of children ages 1 to 5 years.5 Signs and symptoms of acute HBV infection can include the following5:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Dark urine
- Clay-colored bowel movements
- Joint pain
- Jaundice