What should you know about influenza A hepatitis?

Influenza A can cause fever, chills, cough, headache, fatigue and feeling generally unwell. Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver and is not established by flu symptoms alone. Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, persistent vomiting or pain under the right ribs may point to a liver problem and should not be dismissed as ordinary flu.

Different infections, medicines and other health conditions can affect the liver. A clinician may review your history, medicines and symptoms and arrange blood tests or other checks when needed.

Contact a clinician if flu-like illness occurs with jaundice, unusual drowsiness, repeated vomiting or upper abdominal pain. Share every medicine, supplement and traditional remedy you have taken, because some products can affect the liver. Rest and drink fluids as tolerated, and do not exceed the labelled dose of paracetamol or combine products containing it.

Seek urgent help for confusion, fainting, severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, vomiting that prevents fluids, significant bleeding or rapidly worsening yellow skin or eyes. Worsening cough or breathing may indicate pneumonia and also requires prompt review.

Could my symptoms be influenza, hepatitis or another condition? Should I have liver blood tests? Which pain or fever medicines are suitable for me? Do I need assessment for pneumonia? What changes should trigger emergency care?