The disease is fairly common. Hepatitis B virus can be found in the blood and, to a lesser extent, saliva, semen and other body fluids of an infected person. Hepatitis B virus is not spread by casual contact. The symptoms of hepatitis B include fatigue, poor appetite, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, joint pain, hives or rash.
Some people experience few or no symptoms.
The symptoms appear two to six months after exposure, but usually within three months. The virus can be found in blood and other body fluids several weeks before symptoms appear and generally persists for several months afterward. Approximately 10 percent of infected people may become long-term carriers of the virus. Carriers may remain infectious for hepatitis B for years. Hepatitis B is diagnosed by a positive blood test for hepatitis B viral antigen or antibody.