Toxic hepatitis

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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

Mild forms of toxic hepatitis may not cause any symptoms and may be detected only by blood tests. When signs and symptoms of toxic hepatitis occur, they may include:

  • Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
  • Itching
  • Abdominal pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Rash
  • Weight loss
  • Dark or tea-colored urine

When to see a doctor
See your doctor right away if you have any signs or symptoms that worry you.

Get immediate medical care if you think your child has taken an overdose of acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or your child develops signs or symptoms of a possible acetaminophen overdose, such as:

  • Sweating
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Upper abdominal pain
  • Coma

If you suspect an acetaminophen overdose, call 911, your local emergency services or the poison control center at 800-222-1222 immediately. An acetaminophen overdose can be fatal.

References
  1. Teoh NC, et al. Liver disease caused by drugs. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6189-2..X0001-7--TOP&isbn=978-1-4160-6189-2&about=true&uniqId=229999237-13. Accessed Nov. 11, 2010.
  2. Lewis JH. Liver disease caused by anesthetics, toxins and herbal preparations. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6189-2..X0001-7--TOP&isbn=978-1-4160-6189-2&about=true&uniqId=229999237-13. Accessed Nov. 11, 2010.
  3. Jones AL, et al. Hepatic toxicology. In: Shannon MW, et al. Haddad and Winchester's Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7216-0693-4..50002-5&isbn=978-0-7216-0693-4&uniqId=226391226-4. Accessed Nov. 12, 2010.
  4. Guss DA, et al. Disorders of the liver and biliary tract. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..X0001-1--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05472-0&about=true&uniqId=230052158-6. Accessed Nov. 11, 2010.
  5. Rodgers GC, et al. Poisonings. In: Kliegman RM. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1608/0.html. Accessed Nov. 17, 2010.
DS00811 Dec. 17, 2010

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