What are common symptoms of hepatitis?

• A. Malaise, jaundice, hepatomegaly, bleeding dyscrasias, altered mental status, and multiple organ failure
• B. Rash and pruritus
• C. Nausea and vomiting only
• D. Only fever and cough

Answer: (A)

Hepatitis inflames the liver and impairs its many functions, so people often experience generalized malaise and jaundice as bilirubin accumulates. The liver enlarges or becomes tender, which is hepatomegaly, a common physical finding in hepatitis. Because the liver is responsible for making most clotting factors, inflammation can lead to bleeding tendencies (bleeding dyscrasias). In more severe cases, liver dysfunction allows toxins like ammonia to build up, causing altered mental status (hepatic encephalopathy), and if the injury is extensive, can lead to failure of multiple organs. This combination—malaise, jaundice, hepatomegaly, bleeding issues, mental status changes, and potential organ failure—best reflects the spectrum of common and more serious manifestations of hepatitis. Rash and itching are not typical for the usual hepatitis presentation, and nausea/vomiting or fever with cough alone do not capture the full range seen with hepatitis.