The symptoms ofhepatitiscan be confounding, ranging from mild, short-lived flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever and fatigue) to more classic ones, such as jaundice—or even no symptoms at all. Typically, once the symptoms of hepatitis become obvious, chronic liver disease and liver damage are well underway. Serious liver damage can have dire and even life-threatening complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Verywell / Gary Ferster
Symptoms
Symptoms of the three types of hepatitis vary little. In the case ofacute viral hepatitis, if symptoms occur, they will begin to appear during the prodromal stageof infection,when the virus has begun to aggressively replicate and spread to the cells of the liver (called hepatocytes).
Within several days of these early signs, the infection will trigger the build-up ofbilirubin, an orange-yellow pigment produced when the liver breaks down old red blood cells. This compound can rapidly accumulate in the body, causing tell-tale signs of hepatitis:
Symptoms of acute viral hepatitis rarely become severe. However,fatigue can persistfor weeks and, in some cases, even months. In most cases, acute symptoms resolve in about four to eight weeks. (One exception ishepatitis D, in which acute liver damage is more common.)
Hepatitis D Virus and Infection
Jaundice typically is the first symptom ofnon-viral forms of hepatitis, although, as with viral hepatitis, many people experience symptoms during the early stages of liver damage that are less obvious and may easily be mistaken for a garden-variety infection.
Complications
In cases of viral hepatitis, when the virus does not spontaneously clear but instead continues to replicate, the infection is said to be chronic. Depending on the type of hepatitis virus, a chronic infection can persist for years or decades before signs of illness appear.
Fibrosis and Cirrhosis
When liver cells are injured, the inflammatory response that results stimulates the production of collagen and other substances. These begin to build up faster than the body can break them down. Over time, the process causes the progressive accumulation of scar tissue, known asfibrosis.
Fibrosistends to progress more rapidly in men than in women, as well as in people over 50 or those who drink heavily orare obese. In some cases, it can remain stable or even regress over time.
Fibrosis can lead to a complication calledcirrhosis—scarring so extensive as to restrict the liver’s blood supply and disrupt normal function. Cirrhosis symptoms can vary, depending on the stage of progression.
There are two classifications of liver cirrhosis, compensated and decompensated.
Compensated cirrhosis,in which the liver has minimal to moderate damage, tends to have few, if any, symptoms.Possible signs include:
Decompensated cirrhosisis diagnosed ifdamage is extensive and the liver no longer functions. The symptoms are the result of liver failure and include:
Decompensated cirrhosis is classified as end-stage liver disease.Liver transplantationis considered the only viable option for treatment.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)
This is a type of liver cancer that develops almost exclusively in association with cirrhosis in patients with hepatitis B orhepatitis C. The symptoms of HCC are similar to those of decompensated cirrhosis:
Like decompensated cirrhosis, HCC is considered an end-stage liver disease.
Glomerulonephritis
This kidney disorder most commonly is associated with untreated chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C infections.
Cryoglobulinemia
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
This rare complication of chronic hepatitis C, in which the body has trouble processing chemicals called porphyrins, leads to blistering of the hands and face.
What Is Erythropoietic Protoporphyria?
Hepatic Encephalopathy
Hepatic encephalopathy(HE) is inflammation of the brain that can result when the liver becomes unable to remove toxins from the blood, allowing them to travel to the brain. Also called portosystemic encephalopathy, HE affects both physical and mental functioning. Symptoms include:
Effects of Hepatitis on the Brain
Portal Hypertension
Portal hypertension, a complication of alcoholic hepatitis, is a type of high blood pressure that affects the portal veins that lead from the intestines to the liver, blocking the return of blood to the organ from the digestive system. As pressure builds, life-threatening swelling and bleeding of various internal tissues and organs can result.
Co-Infection
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you develop any of the symptoms of chronic hepatitis, liver damage, or liver cancer, see your healthcare provider. It takes only a blood test to detect the presence of a hepatitis virus in your body (or antibodies that indicate your immune system has been attempting to fight off such a virus).
A blood test also can determine which hepatitis virus you’re infected with, which will determine what your treatment should be (usually an antiviral medication that may not clear the virus from your body, but may prevent it from replicating).
A Word From Verywell
The symptoms of the various forms ofviral hepatitis—as well as those of non-viral hepatitis—are similar despite having different causes. What’s more, symptoms often aren’t apparent until damage to the liver is well underway. By identifying behaviors or traits that put you at greater risk and getting a good medical history, a healthcare provider often can determine that hepatitis may be a cause of a patient’s symptoms. From there, testing can be done to confirm the diagnosis.
Frequently Asked QuestionsHepatitis A is usually a short-term infection that resolves with rest and fluids for mild cases. Approximately 25% of hepatitis B cases can be cured with specific drugs given weekly via injection. Hepatitis C is treated with antiviral medication that cures up to 90% or more of cases.Hepatitis A has an incubation period that ranges from 15 to 50 days before symptoms appear. Hepatitis B symptoms may start between one to six months after exposure.Hepatitis C symptoms appear two to 12 weeks after exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hepatitis A is usually a short-term infection that resolves with rest and fluids for mild cases. Approximately 25% of hepatitis B cases can be cured with specific drugs given weekly via injection. Hepatitis C is treated with antiviral medication that cures up to 90% or more of cases.
Hepatitis A has an incubation period that ranges from 15 to 50 days before symptoms appear. Hepatitis B symptoms may start between one to six months after exposure.Hepatitis C symptoms appear two to 12 weeks after exposure.
Causes and Risk Factors of Hepatitis
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hepatitis (viral).Griffin PM, Kevat DA, McCarthy JS, Woods ML.Chronic urticaria following acute hepatitis A.BMJ Case Rep. 2012;2012. doi:10.1136/bcr-2012-006479Ryder SD, Beckingham IJ.ABC of diseases of liver, pancreas, and biliary system: Acute hepatitis.BMJ. 2001;322(7279):151-3. doi:10.1136/bmj.322.7279.151National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Autoimmune hepatitis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Cirrhosis.Abraldes JG, Garcia-tsao G.Simple clinical tools to predict decompensation in patients with compensated cirrhosis: An unmet need.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol.2019;17(11):2179-2181. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2019.04.026National Organization for Rare Disorders.Hepatocellular carcinoma.National Kidney Foundation.What is glomuerulonephritis?National Kidney Foundation.Hepatitis C and chronic kidney disease: Overview of evaluation and management.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hepatitis C questions and answers for health professionals.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Hepatic encephalopathy.American Academy of Family Physicians.Cirrhosis and portal hypertension.Wu P, Lin Y, Hsieh K, Chuang HY, Sheu CC.Hepatitis C virus infection is associated with an increased risk of active tuberculosis disease: A nationwide population-based study.Medicine (Baltimore).2015;94(33):e1328. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000001328University of California San Francisco.Viral hepatitis treatment.Nemours Foundation.Hepatitis B. KidsHealth.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is hepatitis C.
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hepatitis (viral).Griffin PM, Kevat DA, McCarthy JS, Woods ML.Chronic urticaria following acute hepatitis A.BMJ Case Rep. 2012;2012. doi:10.1136/bcr-2012-006479Ryder SD, Beckingham IJ.ABC of diseases of liver, pancreas, and biliary system: Acute hepatitis.BMJ. 2001;322(7279):151-3. doi:10.1136/bmj.322.7279.151National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Autoimmune hepatitis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Cirrhosis.Abraldes JG, Garcia-tsao G.Simple clinical tools to predict decompensation in patients with compensated cirrhosis: An unmet need.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol.2019;17(11):2179-2181. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2019.04.026National Organization for Rare Disorders.Hepatocellular carcinoma.National Kidney Foundation.What is glomuerulonephritis?National Kidney Foundation.Hepatitis C and chronic kidney disease: Overview of evaluation and management.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hepatitis C questions and answers for health professionals.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Hepatic encephalopathy.American Academy of Family Physicians.Cirrhosis and portal hypertension.Wu P, Lin Y, Hsieh K, Chuang HY, Sheu CC.Hepatitis C virus infection is associated with an increased risk of active tuberculosis disease: A nationwide population-based study.Medicine (Baltimore).2015;94(33):e1328. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000001328University of California San Francisco.Viral hepatitis treatment.Nemours Foundation.Hepatitis B. KidsHealth.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is hepatitis C.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hepatitis (viral).Griffin PM, Kevat DA, McCarthy JS, Woods ML.Chronic urticaria following acute hepatitis A.BMJ Case Rep. 2012;2012. doi:10.1136/bcr-2012-006479Ryder SD, Beckingham IJ.ABC of diseases of liver, pancreas, and biliary system: Acute hepatitis.BMJ. 2001;322(7279):151-3. doi:10.1136/bmj.322.7279.151National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Autoimmune hepatitis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Cirrhosis.Abraldes JG, Garcia-tsao G.Simple clinical tools to predict decompensation in patients with compensated cirrhosis: An unmet need.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol.2019;17(11):2179-2181. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2019.04.026National Organization for Rare Disorders.Hepatocellular carcinoma.National Kidney Foundation.What is glomuerulonephritis?National Kidney Foundation.Hepatitis C and chronic kidney disease: Overview of evaluation and management.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hepatitis C questions and answers for health professionals.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Hepatic encephalopathy.American Academy of Family Physicians.Cirrhosis and portal hypertension.Wu P, Lin Y, Hsieh K, Chuang HY, Sheu CC.Hepatitis C virus infection is associated with an increased risk of active tuberculosis disease: A nationwide population-based study.Medicine (Baltimore).2015;94(33):e1328. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000001328University of California San Francisco.Viral hepatitis treatment.Nemours Foundation.Hepatitis B. KidsHealth.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is hepatitis C.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hepatitis (viral).
Griffin PM, Kevat DA, McCarthy JS, Woods ML.Chronic urticaria following acute hepatitis A.BMJ Case Rep. 2012;2012. doi:10.1136/bcr-2012-006479
Ryder SD, Beckingham IJ.ABC of diseases of liver, pancreas, and biliary system: Acute hepatitis.BMJ. 2001;322(7279):151-3. doi:10.1136/bmj.322.7279.151
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Autoimmune hepatitis.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Cirrhosis.
Abraldes JG, Garcia-tsao G.Simple clinical tools to predict decompensation in patients with compensated cirrhosis: An unmet need.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol.2019;17(11):2179-2181. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2019.04.026
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Hepatocellular carcinoma.
National Kidney Foundation.What is glomuerulonephritis?
National Kidney Foundation.Hepatitis C and chronic kidney disease: Overview of evaluation and management.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hepatitis C questions and answers for health professionals.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Hepatic encephalopathy.
American Academy of Family Physicians.Cirrhosis and portal hypertension.
Wu P, Lin Y, Hsieh K, Chuang HY, Sheu CC.Hepatitis C virus infection is associated with an increased risk of active tuberculosis disease: A nationwide population-based study.Medicine (Baltimore).2015;94(33):e1328. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000001328
University of California San Francisco.Viral hepatitis treatment.
Nemours Foundation.Hepatitis B. KidsHealth.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is hepatitis C.
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