[Extra-hepatic manifestations of viral hepatitis]

A variety of prodromal symptoms of viral hepatitis (urticaria, fever, arthralgias, headache, polyradiculonevritis) are attributed to A, B, C, D or E hepatitis only when jaundice appears, and because they disappear with it. Spectacular extrahepatic symptoms (polyarteritis nodosa, cryoglobulinemia, glomerulonephritis, marrow aplasia...) may be associated with B or C hepatitis without any liver symptom. Some of the extrahepatic symptoms observed during chronic hepatitis C therapy with interferon (thyroid dysfunctions, cutaneo-mucous lichen) may be related to the immunomodulatory effects of interferon rather than to virus C itself.