Hepatitis B differential diagnosis

Hepatitis Main Page
Hepatitis B
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Hepatitis B from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Criteria
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
CT
MRI
Ultrasound
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Hepatitis B Vaccination
Hepatitis B Vertical transmission
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Hepatitis B differential diagnosis On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Hepatitis B differential diagnosis All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Hepatitis B differential diagnosis
CDC on Hepatitis B differential diagnosis
Hepatitis B differential diagnosis in the news
Blogs on Hepatitis B differential diagnosis
Directions to Hospitals Treating Hepatitis B
Risk calculators and risk factors for Hepatitis B differential diagnosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]

Overview

Hepatitis A must be differentiated from other diseases that cause fever, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, hepatomegaly, icteric sclera, elevated ALT, AST, and PCR such as other viral hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, and autoimmune hepatitis.

Differentiating Hepatitis B from other Diseases

Shown below is a table that summarizes the findings that differentiate hepatitis B from other conditions that cause fever, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, hepatomegaly, and icteric sclera.

Disease	Findings
Viral Hepatitis A	Symptoms are similar to the ones of hepatitis B, however, hepatitis A
Viral Hepatitis C	Symptoms are similar to the ones of hepatitis B, however, hepatitis C, caused by the hepatitis C virus, can cause acute and/or chronic hepatitis. Serologic testing will help differentiate these two conditions.
Viral Hepatitis D	Symptoms are similar to the ones of hepatitis B, however, hepatitis D is a serious liver disease caused by infection with the Hepatitis D virus. Hepatitis D only occurs among people who are infected with the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). It may complicate into cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Serologic testing will help differentiate these two conditions.
Viral Hepatitis E	Symptoms are similar to the ones of hepatitis B, however, hepatitis E, caused by the hepatitis E virus, may complicate, in rare cases, into chronic hepatitis and liver failure. Serologic testing will help differentiate these two conditions.
Alcoholic Hepatitis	Symptoms are similar to the ones of hepatitis B, however, alcoholic hepatitis is related to the excessive use of alcohol. Alcoholic hepatitis presents more often with ascites. Alcoholic hepatitis often leads to cirrhosis and liver failure, if alcohol use is not decreased. Serologic testing will help differentiate these two conditions. Also laboratory results show ALT<AST in alcoholic hepatitis (inverse from hepatitis A, which is ALT>AST).
Autoimmune Hepatitis	Autoimmune hepatitis occurs when the body's immune system attacks the hepatocytes. It often affects young females and may present with signs of acute hepatitis or chronic liver disease. Serologic testing will help differentiate these two conditions.