Overview of acute viral hepatitis

[Tina]

Acute viral hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by infection with one of the five hepatitis viruses. In most people, the inflammation begins suddenly and lasts only a few weeks.

• Symptoms range from none to very severe.
• Affected people may have a poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever, pain in the upper right part of the abdomen, and jaundice.
• Doctors do blood tests to diagnose hepatitis and identify its cause.
• Vaccines can prevent hepatitis A, B, and E (the hepatitis E vaccine is available only in China).
• Usually, specific treatment is not needed.

(See also Overview of Hepatitis.)

Acute viral hepatitis is common throughout the world. Most cases of acute viral hepatitis resolve on their own, but some persist and progress to chronic hepatitis.