Which statement is true about acute versus chronic hepatitis?

Which statement is true about acute versus chronic hepatitis?

• A. Acute lasts less than 6 months; chronic lasts more than 6 months; symptoms may overlap
• B. Acute lasts more than 6 months; chronic lasts less than 6 months
• C. Only chronic hepatitis presents with jaundice
• D. Both acute and chronic hepatitis can present with nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and jaundice

Answer: (D)

Both acute and chronic hepatitis can cause similar systemic symptoms because liver inflammation affects how the body processes bilirubin and handles energy, leading to nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and jaundice. Jaundice appears when bilirubin builds up due to hepatocellular injury or impaired bile excretion, which can happen in either acute or chronic hepatitis. While clinicians use about six months as a marker to differentiate chronic from acute, that boundary isn’t absolute, and symptoms can overlap or evolve over time. That’s why this statement—listing symptoms that can occur with both forms—best reflects their shared clinical presentation.

Both acute and chronic hepatitis can cause similar systemic symptoms because liver inflammation affects how the body processes bilirubin and handles energy, leading to nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and jaundice. Jaundice appears when bilirubin builds up due to hepatocellular injury or impaired bile excretion, which can happen in either acute or chronic hepatitis. While clinicians use about six months as a marker to differentiate chronic from acute, that boundary isn’t absolute, and symptoms can overlap or evolve over time. That’s why this statement—listing symptoms that can occur with both forms—best reflects their shared clinical presentation.