Recovery may take a few weeks to a few months. Avoid drinking alcohol, because this could lead to further liver damage. Most patients do not require specific medical treatment but a small number may benefit from active intervention. See your doctor to determine the cause of hepatitis and for the proper treatment. When hepatitis lasts for more than 6 months it is called chronic.
Chronic hepatitis can lead to severe destruction and scarring of the liver.
This scarring is called cirrhosis. Individuals with cirrhosis have an increased risk for developing primary liver cancer . This information is not a tool for self-diagnosis or a substitute for professional care.