What are the signs and symptoms of hepatitis?
Many people with Hepatitis experience either mild symptoms or none at all. Remember that an infected person’s feces are always infectious to other people. When symptoms appear, they usually do so about 15 to 180 days after the person has become infected. The acute phase of hepatitis – symptoms The initial phase of hepatitis is called the acute phase. The symptoms are like a mild flu, and may include: • Diarrhea • Fatigue • Loss of appetite • Mild fever • Muscle or joint aches • Nausea • Slight abdominal pain • Vomiting • Weight loss The acute phase is not usually dangerous, unless it develops into the fulminant or rapidly progressing form, which can lead to death. As the patient gets worse, these symptoms may follow: • Circulation problems (only toxic/drug-induced hepatitis) • Dark urine • Dizziness (only toxic/drug-induced hepatitis) • Drowsiness (only toxic/drug-induced hepatitis) • Enlarged spleen (only alcoholic hepatitis) • Headache (only toxic/drug-induced hepatitis) • Hives • It
