Hepatitis A Lecture

• Hepatitis = liver inflammation
– Characterized by hepatocyte destruction and elevation of liver
enzymes
– Signs are not indicative of etiology • Canbe
Acute: limited in time. Signs include jaundice (accumulation of
bilirubin), intense fatigue, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, light-
colored stool, dark urine, hepatomegaly and upper abdominal
pain
Chronic: long duration, sometimes for a lifetime. May be
symptomatic (mild) or not
Fulminant (on fire): occurs suddenly, progresses rapidly, very
severe, potentially lethal
• Chronic hepatitis may lead to cirrhosis or cancer