Prognosis and Duration of disabling effects

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A resolves in the majority of cases without any specific treatment. Most cases recover within 10 days; in some people recovery may be delayed for up to 3 months. Fatal liver failure can occur in 0.3% of cases, often in very elderly people.

Hepatitis B

Most people who have an acute episode of hepatitis B infection make a complete recovery within 6 to 12 months. Chronic carriers of the hepatitis B virus often remain well without symptoms for many years. They are however a potential source of infection to others via infected blood and other body fluids.

A small percentage of people with persistent virus infection develop chronic hepatitis. Progressive deterioration in their health and liver function occurs over a number of years. Ultimately they may develop liver failure, cirrhosis and hepato-cellular carcinoma, all of which potentially have an adverse prognosis.

Hepatitis C

Following a symptomatic acute infection there is spontaneous recovery within a few weeks or months.

For individuals with chronic infection the following factors are associated with a worse outlook and more rapid progression to severe liver disease: -

• Male gender,
• Alcohol consumption,
• Age over 40 years at time of infection,
• Additional infection with HIV and/or hepatitis B,
• Treatment with immunosuppressive drugs.

However many people with chronic infection live out a normal life span.

If evidence shows that the customer has cirrhosis, which may have resulted from Chronic Hepatitis C then go to Cirrhosis guidance.

If evidence shows that the customer has liver failure, which may have resulted from Chronic Hepatitis C then go to the Liver Failure guidance.

All information must be taken into account when considering the duration of disabling effects and the duration of disabling effects must be based on the particular circumstances of the individual claimant.