Viral hepatitis A, B, C and D

Need to know

• Symptoms of Viral hepatitis A B C and D icon plus

  Your symptoms will vary depending on the type of viral hepatitis you have. Common symptoms of viral hepatitis include:

  • fatigue
  • fever
  • nausea
  • joint or muscle pain
  • loss of appetite
  • abdominal pain
  • diarrhoea
  • dark urine
  • pale or grey-coloured stools
  • itching
  • jaundice

  Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are often chronic but seem symptomless or with only flu-like symptoms. Many people are therefore unaware they are infected.
  
  Hepatitis A and hepatitis E are acute conditions as the body is often able to clear the infection by itself within a few weeks or months. However, both infections can sometimes cause complications in people with a weakened immune system.

   

• Diagnosis icon plus

  Your consultant will discuss your symptoms with you and may recommend certain tests to aid in diagnosis.
  
  Blood tests that look for specific antibodies, such as the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or hepatitis C antibodies (anti-HCV), are usually carried out to distinguish and identify the type of viral infection suspected by your consultant.
  
  Liver function tests (LFTs), a specific group of blood tests, may also be required to check if your liver is inflamed (swollen or irritated).
  
  For even greater accuracy, a PCR test (Polymerase Chain Reaction), which shows if you have the virus itself, such as hepatitis C RNA, may also be considered.
  
  Transient elastography (FibroScan) is uded to measure scarring levels.

• Potential treatment options icon plus

  If you've been diagnosed with viral hepatitis, your consultant will discuss your treatment options with you and help to determine the best approach for you. Treatment options include:

  • Anti-viral and antineoplastic medication, which stimulates the immune system against the virus, or nucleoside or nucleotide analogues which stop the virus from replicating (hepatitis B).
  • Direct Acting Antivirals (DAAs) which attacks the virus itself and increasingly used in combination with each other (hepatitis C).
  • Anti-viral therapy (hepatitis C).

  Options for prevention include vaccination and lifestyle counselling.