Acute liver failure (ALF) is a sudden loss of liver function in a patient generally with no other pre-existing liver disease, also known as fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). It occurs rapidly- with a span of a few weeks or even days and may be caused by a virus or drug. It might be simply the worsening of acute hepatitis, which becomes a serious problem and can be life-threatening, due to internal bleeding or severe brain edema leading to increased pressure in the brain. In such conditions, an urgent transplant may be the only curative, life-saving option.

Acute Liver Failure (ALF) occurs when there is a severe injury to the liver in a short span of time (usually within a few days to weeks), leading to a rapid decline in the liver function. The individuals rapidly display symptoms such as jaundice, altered mental status, dark-colored urine, and bleeding tendency.

Patients with previously undiagnosed Wilsons’ disease, acquired or reactivation of hepatitis B virus, or autoimmune hepatitis, with underlying cirrhosis, and the disease has been diagnosed for <26 weeks may also be suffering from Acute Liver failure. It needs to be carefully diagnosed and should not be confused with other liver diseases/ severe alcohol abuse.