Hepatitis Symptoms: 10 Common Signs

Hepatitis symptoms include yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine, low-grade fever, loss of appetite, nausea, tiredness, and a swollen belly. However, many cases do not cause noticeable symptoms.

If hepatitis symptoms appear, it is important to see a primary care provider, hepatologist, or infectious disease specialist. Diagnosis helps guide treatment, which may include rest, a light diet, and antiviral medication in some cases.

Hepatitis is liver inflammation most often caused by viruses. It can spread through unprotected sex, shared needles, or contaminated food or water, and may also be caused by autoimmune diseases, medication misuse, or alcohol consumption.

Symptoms of hepatitis

The main hepatitis symptoms are:

1. Yellowing of the skin and eyes
2. Yellowish, gray, or whitish stools
3. Dark urine
4. Upper abdominal pain
5. Persistent low-grade fever
6. Loss of appetite
7. Frequent nausea or dizziness
8. Frequent tiredness
9. Distended abdomen
10. Joint pain

Hepatitis symptoms usually appear 15 to 45 days after contact with the hepatitis virus in cases of viral hepatitis. According to the CDC, many people with viral hepatitis do not have symptoms and may not know they are infected.

In cases caused by medication use, alcohol, or autoimmune diseases, symptoms may appear as liver inflammation develops.

Symptom checker

Select your symptoms below to see if they may be related to hepatitis:

The symptom checker is only a guidance tool. It does not provide a diagnosis and does not replace a consultation with a healthcare professional.

Confirming a diagnosis

To confirm hepatitis, a healthcare provider will assess the person’s signs and symptoms and order blood tests to evaluate liver function. Hepatitis serology tests may also be requested, particularly when a viral cause is suspected.

Imaging exams, such as an ultrasound or CT scan, may also be used to examine the liver and look for signs of damage or other changes.

How do you get hepatitis?

Hepatitis can be transmitted in different ways. The main forms of transmission include:

• Contact with contaminated blood
• Contact with stool from a person infected with the virus
• Unprotected sex
• Drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food
• Use of non-sterilized equipment for tattoos, piercings, or nail care

Hepatitis can also result from alcohol misuse, illicit drug use, certain medications, or autoimmune diseases.

Treatment depends on the type and cause of hepatitis, the severity of symptoms, and how the condition was acquired. The doctor may recommend rest, drinking plenty of fluids, eating a balanced, low-fat diet, and, in some cases, antiviral medication or other treatments.