2.9.9 FULMINANT HEPATITIS

In very rare cases hepatitis symptoms develop quickly and become very severe. This less common form of hepatitis is called fulminant hepatitis or fast-progressing hepatitis, and it requires prompt medical attention. It can be fatal in up to 70 to 80 percent of cases. The kidneys may fail, and the liver shrinks as cells are killed. The person may fall into a coma and die. Fulminant liver failure following HCV infection has been reported but is a rare occurrence.