What should a patient eat during acute viral hepatitis?

Liver is a very important organ of body. When it is swollen due to any disease process (most commonly viral illness) condition is called hepatitis. The patient usually comes with history of loss of appetite, vomiting and yellow color of sclera (jaundice ).

The condition lasts from a few days to few months and recovers on its own. During this time the most common question of patient is about what to eat.

Traditionally in this part of world people advise against routine diet. But evidence is against this popular belief.

Doctors suggest the patient to eat whatever he/she likes to eat including bread, meat and eggs as well. Fruits and liberal amount of water and juices should be taken. Usually, patient does not want to eat anything but after a few days the appetite returns.

This is the turning point indicating that the disease is going towards recovery phase. Usually, jaundice is still present at this time, but this usually recovers during next few weeks. The earlier patients start a good diet, the sooner he or she will recover.