 [ Symptoms ] what are the symptoms and signs of viral hepatitis [ Disease ] the period of time between exposure to hepatitis and the onset of the illness is called the incubation period the incubation period varies depending on the specific hepatitis virus hepatitis a has an incubation period of about 15 45 days hepatitis b from 45 160 days and hepatitis c from 2 weeks to 6 months many patients infected with hepatitis a b and c have few or no symptoms of illness for those who do develop symptoms of viral hepatitis the most common are flu like symptoms including loss of appetite nausea vomiting fever weakness tiredness aching in the abdomen less common symptoms include dark urine light colored stools fever jaundice a yellow appearance to the skin and white portion of the eyes