Dear Ant,
I had acute HBV last summer. I know what you are feeling right now...trust me, I did the screaming and tears and thinking my life was over. And you know what EVERYONE on this site has done that. It is totally normal to feel the way you do on learning you have HBV. But the good news is that you are ACUTE and this means as is said above that you have 90-95% chance of clearing it out naturally and becoming immune to it for the rest of you life!
You will probably be racking your brain to figure out how you got it and where from. But there is no point in tormenting yourself with this. You may never find out. I suspected dentists, hospitals etc but never ever found any answers. I had the works as far as symptoms went. I was vomiting, had severe itching of skin, lost 3 stone in weight, nose bleeds, aches all over my body, painful upper right quadrant, sore throat, could not eat a thing, constipation, severe jaundice, both body and eyes were bright yellow so much so I looked like Bart Simpson. At the time my doctor told me that the jaundice was a good sign as it indicated I was acute and likely to clear the virus. I was concerned that this meant that my liver was damaged, but he said no it was fine and indeed a scan showed it was. The liver swells up and this is what causes the yellowness and pains etc.
I sat for 8 months with this virus and as I passed the 6 month cut off period I was terrified. But you know what, each day gets better and I resigned myself to the fact that at least I had caught the thing in time to keep it in check with the fabby drugs they have to deal with it. However, I DID manage to clear it, and you will most likely do the same too. Keep yourself well and get plenty of rest and let your body fight this virus. Stress and tears will only prevent you from getting better quicker. So don't do what I did and worry and make yourself sicker. Keep a positive mind and convince yourself that your body is a healthy one that will clear this virus.
I didn't stay off anything in particular but I certainly did not touch a drop of alcohol during the period I had the virus. So whatever you do don't even imagine yourself sipping a wee dram or two as this will cause problems. You will start to feel better soon.
Don't give up...you will more than likely clear this. I found this site extremely helpful and the regulars on here were sent to me by the heavens, coz they kept me going. They know a huge amount about the virus and answered all my questions. Make use of this site and it will assist you in remaining positive and calm.
Please keep in touch with your blood results as you get them.
Brit
Once you confirm clearance and immunity, you'll be fine. Your family should be vaccinated if not already immune.
Hep B is manageable and treatable. You could clear of it (there is a 90-95% chance for that).
Please visit :
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/HepB-Introduction--Welcome-Page/show/34?cid=153