water retention and liver problems

Hello Dr.
I have a question. I have a situation. My mother in law has been in and out of the hospital this month do to water retention and yellow eyes and skin. They have done so many blood test and found that she has hepatitis A. Last night agian they took water out of her abdomen what alse could it be and why would they do that? I fear that her condition is worst then what they tell us it is. I had my grandfather who had serousis and the Dr. took water out of his abdomen all the time he died.
Please let me know if Hepatitis A would cause the same situation to happen or is it liver failure.
Laurie Meilbeck