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Hepatitis A - Management
What are the clinical features of hepatitis A infection?
- The clinical features of acute hepatitis A are common to all forms of viral hepatitis. Distinguishing hepatitis A from hepatitis due to other causes is clinically impossible, but suspicion may be increased by a history of a specific exposure or risk.
- The clinical features of the prodromal phase of hepatitis include:
- Flu-like symptoms (such as general fatigue, malaise, joint and muscle pain, low-grade fever [up to 39°C]).
- Gastrointestinal symptoms (such as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal or right upper quadrant discomfort).
- Sometimes, the person has headache, cough, pharyngitis, constipation, diarrhoea, itchiness, and urticaria.
- Usually, there are no specific signs on examination.
- The clinical features of the icteric phase of hepatitis include:
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes, pale stools, and dark urine).
- Pruritus (present in 40% of those with jaundice).
- Fatigue, anorexia, nausea, and vomiting — although symptoms often improve once jaundice occurs.
- Hepatomegaly (85%), splenomegaly (15%), lymphadenopathy (5%) and hepatic tenderness are often present on examination.
- The clinical features of the convalescent phase of hepatitis include:
- Malaise.
- Hepatic tenderness.
- Abnormalities of liver function.
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