Signs and Symptoms of Acute and Chronic Hepatitis

Hepatitis (sometimes also called viral hepatitis) is a general term that describes the inflammation of the liver, which is an organ that helps get rid of waste, filters the blood, and helps with digestion. If you develop hepatitis, it can cause your liver to swell and affect its function.

There are several types of hepatitis and common symptoms of the condition include jaundice (or, the yellowing of the skin and eyes), abdominal pain, fever, and urinary changes. These symptoms may occur within a few weeks of exposure to a hepatitis virus, such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C— the most common types of hepatitis in the U.S.

Symptoms of hepatitis can affect everyone a little differently. You might have symptoms that go away within a few weeks or have no symptoms at all. Some people may also experience long-term symptoms, which can be a result of chronic hepatitis infection. If your hepatitis symptoms persist, you may experience more serious symptoms such as scarring of the liver (known as cirrhosis) or liver failure. That's why it's essential to know the symptoms and understand when to seek care.

Acute Hepatitis Symptoms

When you are first exposed to a hepatitis virus, you may experience acute (or, short-term) symptoms in the first few weeks of your infection. Sometimes, symptoms can last up to six months. But generally, these symptoms tend to be mild.

Common Symptoms

Each type of viral hepatitis can produce its own unique set of symptoms. However, there are some common symptoms that they share. These symptoms include:

• Jaundice, or the yellowing of the skin and eyes
  
• Abdominal pain on the right side of your stomach
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
  
• Fatigue
• Malaise, or a general feeling of being unwell
• Muscle or joint pain
• Darker urine color than normal
• Lighter stool color than normal

It's worth noting that while these are common signs of hepatitis, you might not experience all of these symptoms.

Rare Symptoms

While rare, it is possible for acute hepatitis to spread and damage or inflame other organs in your body. This can sometimes lead to more significant symptoms. It's important to know that these symptoms should not be a concern if you're actively receiving treatment for your condition. However, if hepatitis is left untreated, you may be at risk of developing the following:

Chronic Hepatitis Symptoms

In some cases, viral hepatitis can lead to chronic viral infection and long-term liver disease. Statistically, hepatitis A never leads to chronic disease and a small percentage of people with hepatitis B develop long-term symptoms. In contrast, 75% to 85% of people living with hepatitis C can develop chronic liver disease.

Some people who eventually develop symptoms of chronic hepatitis may have never experienced symptoms when they first developed the infection. In fact, you might not even know about your condition until years after the initial infection. If you do develop long-term hepatitis symptoms, however, you may be at an increased risk of experiencing cirrhosis (liver scarring), liver failure, and liver cancer.

Cirrhosis

Chronic hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis—or, scarring of the liver. At first, cirrhosis doesn't always cause symptoms. But as cirrhosis progresses, you might develop mild symptoms, such as:

• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Leg swelling

Eventually, cirrhosis can also cause an enlarged liver and spleen. Your healthcare provider may notice the changes in the size of these organs on a diagnostic exam, such as an ultrasound.
If your cirrhosis worsens further, you may also be at an increased risk of developing liver failure.

Liver Failure

Excess damage to the liver, as a result of scarring or inflammation, can lead to liver failure. This can cause a loss of proper functioning of the liver and induce a variety of symptoms, such as:

• Abdominal swelling
• Mental disorientation or confusion
• Nausea and vomiting
• Itchy skin
• Jaundice
• Changes in urine color
• Easy bruising

If liver failure becomes severe, you may be at risk of going into a coma. Some people may also need a liver transplant to survive—which is a surgery that uses a liver from an organ donor and replaces a damaged liver. Keep in mind: liver failure is more likely to occur in older adults and those that live with an underlying liver condition.

Liver Cancer

Chronic hepatitis can increase your risk of having liver cancer. But, it's vital to note that not everyone with hepatitis eventually develops liver cancer, as only certain types of hepatitis pose the greatest risk. In the U.S., studies estimate that nearly 50% of people with liver cancer have had hepatitis C and 15% of those with the condition have had hepatitis B. Fortunately, successful treatment of hepatitis C can reduce your cancer risk by 75%.

At first, liver cancer doesn’t usually cause any symptoms. But as your condition worsens, you may experience symptoms such as:

• Abdominal swelling
• Stomach pain
• Jaundice
• Easy bruising
• Nausea and vomiting
• Excessive fatigue
• Unintentional weight loss

Unfortunately, if you don't treat liver cancer or receive a late diagnosis, the condition can become fatal. That said, it's essential to see your healthcare provider as soon as you can if you develop concerning signs or changes to your liver health.

Symptoms in Children

Children with hepatitis may experience symptoms differently than adults living with the condition. These are some differences to be aware of:

• Nearly 70% of adults with hepatitis A show symptoms after exposure to the virus, but only 30% of children under the age of five show any symptoms at all. When children do get sick, they tend to have similar symptoms as adults, but with a lower risk of developing jaundice.
• Hepatitis B only turns into a chronic illness in about 5% of adults who contract the virus in adulthood. However, 25% to 50% of children who are exposed to the virus before the age of five will eventually develop chronic liver disease.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

If you were recently exposed to a type of hepatitis, it's important to seek a healthcare provider promptly. You may not always know if you have an infection, but if you recently ate contaminated food or engaged in sexual contact with someone who has hepatitis, you may be at risk of experiencing symptoms of the condition yourself. In such cases, your healthcare provider can help you figure out next steps and get you started on a treatment plan.

You should also contact a healthcare provider if you have any hallmark symptoms of hepatitis such as jaundice or sudden and worsening stomach pain. During your appointment, your provider can perform a physical exam and order tests to help you learn whether your symptoms are due to hepatitis, a different liver problem, or another health condition.

A Quick Review

Hepatitis is a viral infection that can cause symptoms such as jaundice, nausea, abdominal pain, and fever. You might develop symptoms a few weeks after exposure to a hepatitis virus and mild symptoms can last up to six months. In some cases, an acute (short-term) infection can turn into chronic (long-term) hepatitis, which poses serious complications, such as cirrhosis and liver failure.

If you think you may have been exposed to hepatitis or are experiencing symptoms of the condition, it's essential to reach out for medical care as soon as possible. Doing so can help get your started on treatment sooner and reduce the risk of developing long-term complications.