HEPATITIS В – CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
Paediatric infections are usually asymptomatic; infected children are more likely to become chronic carriers. Symptomatic infection is less likely to lead to a chronic carrier state.
The incubation period is from 60 days to 6 months. Acute illness frequently presents with malaise, nausea and vomiting. Other symptoms may include arthralgia, rash, myalgia, headaches, photophobia, pharyngitis, cough and coryza. Dark urine and light coloured stools precede jaundice by 1 to 2 weeks and jaundice usually persists for 1 to 4 weeks. Tender hepatosplenomegaly may be noted.
Infection, whether asymptomatic or causing an acute illness may be followed by recovery, a carrier state, chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. Primary hepatic carcinoma may be a late complication.
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