Understanding Hepatitis -- Symptoms

Medically Reviewed by Arefa Cassoobhoy, MD, MPH on September 20, 2023
1 min read

It's possible you might have hepatitis and not realize it at first. Sometimes there aren't any symptoms. Or you might not get the right diagnosis because the disease shares some of the same signs as the flu.

The most common symptoms of hepatitis are things like:

Some people have other issues, such as:

  • Dark urine
  • Light-colored stools
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
  • Itchy feeling
  • Mental changes, such as stupor (being in a daze) or coma
  • Bleeding inside your body

Always check with your doctor if you have any of the signs of hepatitis. If you don't get treatment it can lead to cirrhosis, a serious scarring of your liver.

Also make an appointment if a friend or member of your family comes down with the disease. There's a risk you could get infected, too.

Be on the lookout for symptoms of hepatitis if you travel to a country where the disease is common. Call your doctor if you think you're showing any signs.