Symptoms of Hepatitis:

Hepatitis produces an initial “acute phase,” often with few if any symptoms. If there are symptoms, they tend to mimic "flu-like" symptoms such as:

• mild fever
• muscle or joint aches
• nausea
• vomiting
• loss of appetite
• slight abdominal pain
• diarrhea
• fatigue

The acute phase and its symptoms is rarely serious or fatal, although occasionally a so-called fulminant or rapidly progressing form leads to death.

As the condition worsens, the person also may experience these additional symptoms:

• jaundice (yellowed skin, mucous membranes and eye-whites)
• dark urine
• light colored stools that may contain pus
• itching
• enlarged spleen (symptom of alcoholic hepatitis only)
• hives
• headache (symptom of toxic/drug-induced hepatitis only)
• dizziness (symptom of toxic/drug-induced hepatitis only)
• drowsiness (symptom of toxic/drug-induced hepatitis only)
• circulation problems (symptom of toxic/drug-induced hepatitis only)

The course of the hepatitis and the different outcomes after the acute phase that distinguish the various types.