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DIGESTIVE SERVICES

Diagnosis & Treatment

Viral Hepatitis

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How is Hepatitis Diagnosed?

Diagnosis

If you believe you may have symptoms of viral hepatitis, a hepatologist can confirm by using several different diagnostic tools. First, your doctor may do a physical exam to check for signs of hepatitis, such as swollen liver or jaundice. Your doctor may ask you general questions about your symptoms and medical history.

Blood tests are also used to measure liver function and detect viruses. If blood tests confirm the presence of a hepatitis virus, your doctor may also order imaging tests like ultrasound, transient elastography, or MRI and CT scans to check the level of liver damage. Liver biopsies may also be done in rare cases.

How is Hepatitis Treated?

Treatment

Treatment for hepatitis depends on the type of hepatitis and whether it’s acute or chronic. Typically, acute hepatitis can be resolved independently with rest, drinking fluids, and avoiding alcohol.

Chronic hepatitis may require more intensive treatments like antiviral medications, interferon injections, or liver transplants.

  • Hepatitis A treatment involves rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and avoiding alcohol. There is currently no particular treatment for hepatitis A beyond letting the body recover on its own. Usually, the liver can heal within several months.
  • Hepatitis B treatment depends on whether the disease is acute or chronic. If you have acute hepatitis B, you may not need treatment besides rest, drinking fluids, and in severe cases, hospitalization. Chronic hepatitis B, however, may require treatment for the rest of your life – typically in the form of antiviral medications (like entecavir or tenofovir). Other forms of treating chronic hepatitis B infection include interferon injections or liver transplant.
  • Hepatitis C treatment in chronic cases primarily includes antiviral medications like pan-genotypic direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) or liver transplant.
  • Hepatitis D currently does not have a specific treatment, though pegylated interferon alpha may help in some cases. Treatment with pegylated interferon alpha has been associated with a lower risk of disease progression. Clinical trials are underway to find a treatment for hepatitis D.
  • Hepatitis E treatment involves letting the liver recover on its own, as there is currently no specific treatment for the disease. If you are immunocompromised, your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs.

FAQs

FAQs

It depends on the cause. Hepatitis C can be cured, and the other causes may be able to be managed to reduce the amount of liver damage. Most acute hepatitis cases resolve on their own over time, and your liver can recover. Chronic hepatitis, however, may require lifelong treatment to prevent worsening liver damage.

There are five main types of hepatitis, depending on which virus you contract: Hepatitis A, B, C, D, or E. However, it’s also possible to develop hepatitis in other ways, such as autoimmune hepatitis, or hepatitis caused by different viruses like cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus.

The most common types of hepatitis in the U.S. are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Fortunately, there is an effective vaccine available for hepatitis A and B.

Hepatitis symptoms can include fever, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eyes. The disease is also typically marked by fatigue, malaise, and dark urine. In the later stages of chronic hepatitis, your liver may be swollen or develop cirrhosis.

 

This content has been reviewed by the following medical editors.

Danielle Brandman, MD

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Trust NewYork-Presbyterian for Viral Hepatitis Treatment

If you have symptoms and are seeking treatment, schedule an appointment with a specialist at NewYork-Presbyterian. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms of hepatitis in order to get treated as soon as possible. Our physicians are trained to accurately diagnose your condition and pair you with the best treatment and care that’s right for you.