The course of chronic active hepatitis can vary considerably. The beginning may be abrupt, or it may creep up on a person. Fatigue, loss of appetite, joint pain, loss of menstrual periods, and jaundice are common, especially in young women. The course of the disease may be severe, leading to cirrhosis in a matter of months, or prolonged, with recurrent bouts of hepatitis but little permanent liver damage. This treatment is usually continued for 12 to 18 months then the medications are tapered.
Recurrences are common, unfortunately.
If the disease progresses despite therapy, and cirrhosis appears, then a liver transplant may be necessary. The disease does not appear to recur in the transplanted liver. This is one doctor who makes housecalls. People with lupus often find themselves in chronicpain, but there are ways to find relief. How to treat sciatic pain.