The first descriptions of hepatitis as epidemics of jaundice have been attributed to Hippocrates. The clinical features of acute disease caused by all hepatitis viruses are similar, but epidemiological patterns of transmission suggest different etiologies. As a consequence, serological evidence is required to ascertain a diagnosis in individuals with jaundice or other signs and symptoms of acute hepatitis (please refer to the paragraphs on laboratory confirmation in this chapter). Hepatitis A virus (HAV) can cause either asymptomatic or symptomatic infection in humans. The probability of having symptoms with HAV infection increases with age. In early childhood, infection is usually asymptomatic or mild. In adults however, HAV infection frequently leads to jaundice, and in a minority of cases it may develop into severe acute hepatitis or even fatal fulminant hepatic failure. Asymptomatic cases can only be detected by characteristic changes in blood chemistry. At least 25% of patients with HAV describe the disease as a flu-like illness with sudden onset. The most common signs and symptoms include fever, headache, malaise, anorexia, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, and jaundice; the fever rarely persists into the icteric phase.

Clinical features of hepatitis A / Paolo Bonanni; Sara Boccalini; Angela Bechini. - In: HOT TOPICS IN VIRAL HEPATITIS. - ISSN 1973-9648. - STAMPA. - 7:(2007), pp. 27-32. [10.4147/HTV-070700]

Clinical features of hepatitis A

BONANNI, PAOLO;BOCCALINI, SARA;BECHINI, ANGELA
2007

Abstract

The first descriptions of hepatitis as epidemics of jaundice have been attributed to Hippocrates. The clinical features of acute disease caused by all hepatitis viruses are similar, but epidemiological patterns of transmission suggest different etiologies. As a consequence, serological evidence is required to ascertain a diagnosis in individuals with jaundice or other signs and symptoms of acute hepatitis (please refer to the paragraphs on laboratory confirmation in this chapter). Hepatitis A virus (HAV) can cause either asymptomatic or symptomatic infection in humans. The probability of having symptoms with HAV infection increases with age. In early childhood, infection is usually asymptomatic or mild. In adults however, HAV infection frequently leads to jaundice, and in a minority of cases it may develop into severe acute hepatitis or even fatal fulminant hepatic failure. Asymptomatic cases can only be detected by characteristic changes in blood chemistry. At least 25% of patients with HAV describe the disease as a flu-like illness with sudden onset. The most common signs and symptoms include fever, headache, malaise, anorexia, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, and jaundice; the fever rarely persists into the icteric phase.
2007
7
27
32
Paolo Bonanni; Sara Boccalini; Angela Bechini
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in FLORE sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificatore per citare o creare un link a questa risorsa: https://hdl.handle.net/2158/396951
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact