If you recently underwent STD testing, received a positive Hepatitis B test result, and have begun experiencing Hepatitis B symptoms, then you may be wondering whether you’ll need treatment. Hepatitis B symptoms can be mild or more extreme depending on the nature of your condition, and while treatment is available to alleviate the discomfort associated with Hepatitis B symptoms, you may not actually need it.

Some people with Hepatitis B have what’s known as an acute infection—meaning, one that is temporary and likely to go away on its own. If this is the case, then you may not need treatment for your Hepatitis B symptoms. On the other hand, if your doctor determines that your condition is chronic, then you’ll most likely need to pursue treatment for your Hepatitis B symptoms. Antibiotics are generally effective at targeting Hepatitis B symptoms and limiting the disease’s impact to cause long-term liver damage.

Common symptoms of Hepatitis B include dark urine, jaundice, fatigue, joint and abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. If you come to experience any of these symptoms, get an STD test for Hepatitis B. The sooner your doctor can manage your condition, the less of a chance the disease will have to wreak havoc on your body.