Symptoms of Viral Hepatitis

by Michael Jubinville, MPH

En Español (Spanish Version)

Most people do not have symptoms with certain types of hepatitis. In those that have them, they can range from mild to severe, and differ by type.

The most common are:

Nausea, vomiting, or loss of hunger
Feeling very tired
Fever
Pain in upper right part of the belly under the rib cage that worsens
Itching skin
Joint pain
Darker urine
Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes—jaundice
Weight loss

Acute hepatitis happens in stages and will go away on its own, but it can take weeks to months.

Chronic hepatitis lasts more than 6 months. Symptoms are not present in most people. As liver damage gets worse, these may appear:

Any symptoms listed above
Fluid buildup in the belly or legs
Skin rashes with red, raised bumps—including acne or hives
Muscle and joint aches
Clay-colored stool
Stools with excess fat
Kidney disease
More body hair
Monthly periods stop

REFERENCES:

Acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T913216/Acute-hepatitis-B-virus-HBV-infection. Updated May 14, 2018. Accessed April 17, 2019.

Acute hepatitis C infection. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T413896/Acute-hepatitis-C-infection. Updated November 15, 2018. Accessed April 17, 2019.

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T115624/Chronic-hepatitis-B-virus-HBV-infection. Updated May 14, 2018. Accessed April 17, 2019.

Chronic hepatitis C infection. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T115157/Chronic-hepatitis-C-infection. Updated January 31, 2019. Accessed April 17, 2019.

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114868/Hepatitis-A-virus-HAV-infection. Updated March 7, 2019. Accessed April 17, 2019.

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T233684/Hepatitis-D-virus-HDV-infection. Updated May 14, 2018. Accessed April 17, 2019.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T116562/Hepatitis-E-virus-HEV-infection. Updated February 28, 2018. Accessed April 17, 2019.

Overview of acute viral hepatitis. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/hepatic-and-biliary-disorders/hepatitis/overview-of-acute-viral-hepatitis. Updated January 2019. Accessed April 17, 2019.

Overview of chronic hepatitis. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/hepatic-and-biliary-disorders/hepatitis/overview-of-chronic-hepatitis. Updated January 2019. Accessed April 17, 2019.

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Last reviewed February 2019 by David L. Horn, MD, FACP
Last Updated: 4/17/2019

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