Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, a large organ in the abdomen that processes hormones, drugs and poisonous substances. The 3 most common types of hepatitis caused by viruses are hepatitis A, B and C. Symptoms and Long-Term Effects of Hepatitis Symptoms of acute hepatitis A, B and C resemble those of the flu, including fever, nausea and fatigue. Some people also experience pain in the abdomen and an itchy feeling. As early symptoms subside, some people develop jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes.
Some people have no outward symptoms.
To diagnose hepatitis, doctors check liver enzyme levels and look for hepatitis virus genetic material or antibodies in the blood. Some people with hepatitis B or C do not completely recover and develop chronic hepatitis. They may have no symptoms or may experience fatigue, nausea and abdominal pain. However, many people with chronic hepatitis live long and mostly symptom-free lives. There is conflicting evidence from studies about whether HIV positive people who are also infected with hepatitis viruses experience more severe hepatitis or faster HIV disease progression.