What are the symptoms of hepatitis A?

The main symptoms of Hepatitis A (HA) are as follows: HA often presents with an acute onset. Initially, patients may experience fever and symptoms similar to a common cold, although these usually last only a short time (about 3 days). Subsequently, patients frequently develop gastrointestinal symptoms, including marked loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and aversion to oily foods. As the disease progresses, some patients may develop jaundice, characterized by yellowing of the eyes, skin discoloration, and darkened urine, which may appear like strong tea. In addition, HA may cause hepatosplenomegaly, fatigue, muscle pain, and pharyngitis. HA is usually an acute, self-limited disease. With appropriate treatment and rest, most patients recover fully within a short period and have a good prognosis. However, in rare cases, patients may develop fulminant hepatitis and liver failure due to delayed treatment or severe illness, leading to serious complications such as coagulopathy and hepatic encephalopathy. Therefore, if the above symptoms appear, prompt medical attention and professional treatment are necessary.