What Are the Symptoms of Jaundice Hepatitis?

Symptoms of icteric hepatitis are varied, with the most prominent feature being obvious yellowing of the skin, sclerae, and urine. In the early stage of the disease, only a faint yellow discoloration of the face and urine may be observed; however, as the condition progresses, jaundice becomes generalized—yellowing spreads across the entire body—and urine darkens to the color of strong tea. In addition to jaundice, patients may experience lethargy, marked loss of appetite, aversion to greasy foods, and even nausea and vomiting triggered merely by the smell of oil. Low-grade or high-grade fever is also common, possibly resulting from toxin accumulation secondary to impaired liver function, leading to elevated body temperature. Notably, although the liver itself lacks pain-sensitive nerves, hepatomegaly (liver enlargement) can stretch the liver capsule, causing pain in the hepatic region. Prompt medical evaluation is essential upon onset of these symptoms for timely diagnosis and treatment.