Does viral hepatitis cause diarrhea?

Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
Updated on February 08, 2025
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Patients with viral hepatitis generally do not experience diarrhea. However, if liver function is significantly abnormal, it can lead to disruption of the gastrointestinal microbial flora, which significantly affects digestive function and may cause diarrhea. Viral hepatitis can lead to a series of related symptoms, such as fatigue, aversion to oil, nausea, abdominal distension, and poor appetite. In particularly severe cases, there may also be signs of increased bilirubin and jaundice, which require treatment based on the actual situation.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Transmission routes of viral hepatitis

Different types of viral hepatitis are transmitted through different routes, and preventive measures should start from the cause of the disease, cutting off transmission routes and protecting susceptible individuals. Hepatitis A and E are mainly transmitted through the fecal-oral route, usually by consuming food or water contaminated with the hepatitis A or E virus. Hepatitis B and C, on the other hand, are mainly transmitted through blood, sexual contact, and from mother to child; general contact usually does not lead to infection. Preventive measures include cutting off transmission routes, such as avoiding contact with patients with viral hepatitis, and getting vaccinated against hepatitis B and A.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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What indicators are checked for viral hepatitis?

Viral hepatitis requires relevant hepatitis markers, such as hepatitis A antibodies IgG and IgM for hepatitis A, and for hepatitis B, the "hepatitis B two and a half pairs" test is conducted to check for surface antigens. If the surface antigen is positive, it indicates a hepatitis B virus infection; if negative, there is no hepatitis B virus infection. Hepatitis C is primarily screened through hepatitis C antibodies; if the screening is positive, further testing for hepatitis C virus RNA is needed. Hepatitis E mainly involves testing for hepatitis E antibodies IgG and IgM.

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Written by Zhang Jian Kang
Infectious Disease
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What are the symptoms of viral hepatitis?

Viral hepatitis primarily includes liver inflammation and damage caused by pathogens such as hepatitis A, B, C, E, etc. Their clinical symptoms are quite similar, mainly characterized by fatigue, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating after eating, jaundice, and dark urine. In cases of chronic liver diseases, such as chronic hepatitis caused by hepatitis B or C, if prolonged, it can also lead to facial features typical of liver disease, spider angiomas, and enlarged spleen. Once cirrhosis occurs, the patient may experience hepatic encephalopathy, gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal distension with water accumulation, and significant abdominal tenderness. Thus, the symptoms of viral hepatitis relate to both the cause of the hepatitis and the type of hepatitis.

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Written by Zhang Jian Kang
Infectious Disease
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What indicators are checked for viral hepatitis?

For viral hepatitis, the primary index to check is liver function. If there are obvious abnormalities in liver function, further clarification is needed to determine what caused these liver function abnormalities. The most common pathogens include Hepatitis A, B, C, E, D, and non-A non-E, etc. Typical hospitals carry out tests for Hepatitis A, B, C, and E. Hepatitis A and E are acute hepatitis; if IgM antibodies are positive, it can indicate a recent infection. However, if IgG antibodies are positive, their significance is not very substantial. If Hepatitis B or C causes the liver damage, further tests such as HBV-DNA, HCV-RNA, etc., need to be conducted to clarify the cause of the liver condition. Additionally, regular follow-up exams like ultrasound and AFP are required.

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Written by Ye Xi Yong
Infectious Diseases
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How is viral hepatitis treated?

Viral hepatitis is divided into acute and chronic types. Acute viral hepatitis is commonly seen in hepatitis A and E. If the condition is mild, it can heal on its own without treatment. However, if the condition is severe, liver protection treatment can be administered in a hospital. Chronic viral hepatitis is most commonly seen in chronic hepatitis B and C. These conditions have relatively long disease courses, and some may even carry the virus for a lifetime. The key to their treatment plans is timely antiviral therapy. Antiviral treatment for hepatitis B mainly includes interferon and nucleoside analogs. Hepatitis C can also be treated with interferon, in addition to direct-acting antiviral drugs for hepatitis C.