What are the symptoms of hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A, also known as Hepatitis A virus infection, is an acute liver inflammation caused by the Hepatitis A virus. Its main symptoms typically include sudden onset of fatigue and loss of appetite. Patients often feel generally unwell, accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, and diarrhea, which result from impaired liver function affecting bile secretion and food digestion. Additionally, most patients develop jaundice, characterized by yellowing of the skin and sclera (the white part of the eye), and darkened urine resembling strong tea, due to elevated bilirubin levels in the blood. Some patients may also experience signs such as fever, pain in the liver area, and hepatomegaly (enlarged liver). Hepatitis A usually presents acutely and is self-limiting in course, generally without a chronic carrier state. Most patients have a good prognosis, although a few severe cases may develop serious complications such as liver failure. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial for controlling the disease and preventing its spread.