SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS
patient of jaundice Jaundice. Dark coloured urine.
Incubation period is 4-6 weeks.
(incubation period is time between entry of disease causing organism and manifestation of symptoms.)
Early phase (prodromal phase) of disease include symptoms like
Fever.
Nausea.
Vomiting.
Loss of appetite.
Pain abdomen.
followed by:
Jaundice.
Dark coloured urine.
Clay coloured stools.
Weakness.
Intractable itching.
Examination findings :
Liver enlargement.
Spleen enlargement.
Epigastric tenderness. (upper abdominal pain on pressing.)
Course of disease
Average period of recovery is 4-6 weeks.
Significant loss of working hours at school and place of work.
Mortality ( death rate) up to 3% in elderly.
Disease ,more serious and life threatening in high risk group, including:
High risk group
Alcoholics
Hepatitis B carriers.
Infants.
Elderly.
Patients suffering from other chronic illnesses.
HIV affected patients.