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Nov 24, 2016Article Details
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Main Article Content
Clinical and biochemical features of acute viral hepatitis
Abstract
Viral hepatitis is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Acute viral hepatitis, although a generalised systemic infection, presents with clinical manifestations relating directly to inflammation of the liver with hepatocellular dysfunction and jaundice.
The most important causes of acute and chronic hepatitis are the five hepatotrophic viruses, hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. There are 2 other, as yet unidentified, hepatitis viruses, F and G.
The clinical features of acute hepatitis caused by these hepatotrophic viruses are similar and only minor features of the clinical disease, together with the incubation period and epidemiological history, help to distinguish the different acute hepatitides. Specific diagnosis requires serological testing.
The clinical severity of acute hepatitis varies. Most infections are asymptomatic, subclinical or anicteric with mild gastro-intestinal symptoms only. Occasionally infection results in acute fulminant hepatitis with an associated high mortality.
