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How
is it diagnosed
In majority of the cases, especially in young children,
the infection is mild with no overt signs or only mild jaundice.
In moderate
to severe cases, the onset is usually acute with fever, loss
of appetite, feeling
of general ill-health and abdominal discomfort, followed within
a few days by jaundice. Fever is present or precedes jaundice.
Right upper
abdominal tenderness and hepatomegaly are important findings. Liver
function tests include a raise in ALT to 8 times or more than normal
levels and serum bilirubin to more than 2 mg%.
Hepatitis A infection is diagnosed by
· Demonstration of HAV particles or specific viral antigens in the faeces.
· Demonstration of rise in anti- HAV titre
· Detection of IgM antibody to HAV in the patient`s serum.
Hepatitis E infection is diagnosed by
·
detection of IgM antibody to HEV in the patient`s serum.
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