The effects of physical activity on rehabilitation for acute hepatitis

We studied 19 patients with acute hepatitis who were instructed to follow a 5-stage exercise regimen. The mean period of hospitalization was 31.9 days, slightly shorter than the mean duration for acute hepatitis patients. The exercise program had no adverse effects on the patients. They returned to works an average of 9.5 days after discharge, demonstrating a marked reduction in the rehabilitation period. Hepatitis should be primarily treated under the internist's management. However, physical exercise should be recognized as an equally important treatment modality.