The onset is usually insidious with anorexia, vague abdominal discomfort, nausea and vomiting, sometimes joint pains and rash, often progressing to jaundice. Fever may be absent or mild.
Severity ranges from asymptomatic cases acute liver damage.
Up to 20 percent of the population are affected in certain areas of Asia. The virus is second only to tobacco among known human cancer-promoting agents. For transmission to occur the virus infected body fluid must be introduced through the skin. This can be done by contaminated needles and syringes and other IV equipment. Infection can also be spread through contamination of wounds or lacerations.