
No specific treatment exists for acute viral hepatitis. Management is largely supportive and includes rest, mainte-nance of hydration, and adequate dietary intake. Most patients show a preference for a low-fat, highcarbohydrate diet. Vita-min supplementation is of no proven value, although vitamin K may be indicated if prolonged cholestasis occurs. Activity is re-stricted to limit fatigue. Alcohol should be avoided until liver enzymes return to normal. Measures to combat nausea can in-clude small doses of metoclopramide and hydroxyzine. Hospi-talization is indicated in patients with severe nausea and vomit-ing or in those with evidence of deteriorating liver function,such as hepatic encephalopathy or prolongation of the pro-thrombin time. In general, hepatitis A may be regarded as noninfectious after 2 to 3 weeks, whereas hepatitis B is poten-tially infectious to sexual contacts throughout its course, al-though the risk is low once HBsAg has cleared. Although hep-atitis C may also be transmitted to sexual contacts, the risk of this is considered less than for hepatitis B.