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.