What is a common symptom of hepatic abscess?

A common symptom of a hepatic abscess is fever, which occurs as part of the body's immune response to the infection or inflammation associated with the abscess. The presence of fever indicates that the body is reacting to underlying pathology and attempting to fight off an infection. Hepatic abscesses are often caused by bacterial infections, and the systemic nature of the infection typically triggers a fever as part of the inflammatory response.

While jaundice, weight loss, and pruritus can be associated with liver-related conditions, they are not as specifically characteristic of a hepatic abscess. Jaundice is often related to bile duct blockage or liver dysfunction, weight loss may occur over time with chronic illness, and pruritus can arise from conditions that cause biliary obstruction or liver dysfunction, but they are not primary symptoms linked directly to a hepatic abscess. The presence of fever is a more immediate and common indicator of the infection typically seen in cases of hepatic abscess.