Fulminant Hepatitis

Fulminant hepatitis occurs as a rare problem after another liver condition, such as viral hepatitis. Symptoms progress quickly and a person can develop severe, often life-threatening liver failure. This can happen within hours, days, or sometimes weeks.

Symptoms

When people with fulminant hepatitis develop severe liver failure, symptoms may include:

• Fever.
• Fatigue.
• Nausea.
• Pain in the belly.
• A yellow tint to the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice).
• Confusion.
• Extreme irritability.
• Altered consciousness. (This usually leads to unconsciousness or coma.)
• Blood-clotting problems.
• Buildup of fluid in the belly (ascites), arms, and legs.

Treatment

People who have fulminant hepatitis need to be hospitalized in an intensive care unit. While there, they can be cared for until their condition becomes more stable. They may get medicines to treat infections and other liver problems.

Younger people are more likely to recover than older adults or people who have chronic liver disease. For some people, a liver transplant is the only lifesaving option.