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Gianotti-Crosti syndrome on the leg

Hepatitis B virus

Hepatitis C

Liver anatomy

The symptoms of hepatitis include:

• Dark urine and pale or clay-colored stools
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Abdominal pain or distention
• General itching
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Low grade fever
• Weight loss
• Breast development in males

Many people with hepatitis B or C do not have symptoms when first infected and can still develop liver failure later. If you have any risk factors for either type of hepatitis, you should be tested periodically.

A physical examination may show yellowing of the skin, an enlarged and tender liver, or fluid in the abdomen (ascites) that can become infected.

Your doctor may order laboratory tests, including:

• Hepatitis virus serologies
• Liver function tests
• Autoimmune blood markers
• Abdominal ultrasound
• Liver biopsy to determine severity of the liver damage
• Paracentesis if fluid in your abdomen is present

Review Date: 10/27/2005
Reviewed By: Courtney W. Houchen, M.D., Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.