Acute Viral Hepatitis.

The mainstay of treatment for acute viral hepatitis is supportive care, as most cases are self-limited. General measures in all types of acute viral hepatitis include bedrest if the patient is very symptomatic, a high-calorie diet, avoidance of hepatotoxic medications, and abstinence from alcohol with the anticipation that most patients will recover uneventfully. In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary for intravenous rehydration if the patient is unable to maintain adequate oral intake due to nausea and vomiting or if there is any alteration of mental status to suggest evolving fulminant hepatic failure. Acute hepatitis A is a self-limited disease, but can be fulminant. Lamivudine at a dosage of 100 mg/d orally may be beneficial in acute hepatitis B. Interferon-alpha therapy in acute hepatitis C may decrease the risk of developing chronic hepatitis C. Fulminant liver failure due to acute viral hepatitis is uncommon, but orthotopic liver transplantation occasionally may be life saving.