What are the symptoms of chronic hepatitis B infection?
The liver is a vital organ that has many functions. These include a role in the immune system, production of clotting factors, producing bile for digestion, and breaking down toxic substances, etc. Patients with chronic hepatitis B develop symptoms in proportion to the degree of abnormalities in these functions. The signs and symptoms of chronic hepatitis B vary widely depending on the severity of the liver damage. They range from few and relatively mild signs and symptoms to signs and symptoms of severe liver disease such as cirrhosis or liver failure. Most individuals with chronic hepatitis B remain symptom free for many years or decades. During this time, the patient’s blood tests usually are normal or only mildly abnormal. Some patients may deteriorate and develop inflammation or symptoms, putting them at risk for developing cirrhosis. Cirrhosis of the liver due to hepatitis B Inflammation from chronic hepatitis B can progress to cirrhosis (severe scarring) of the liver. Significan
