Hepatitis A is an infectious disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), which leads to liver inflammation and may cause symptoms like fatigue, headaches, and yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Hepatitis A infection happens mainly through consuming water and food contaminated with the feces of people infected with the virus.
Also recommended: Hepatitis: Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Explained tuasaude.com/en/hepatitisIf hepatitis is suspected, it is recommended to consult a hepatologist, gastroenterologist, or primary care doctor. The doctor can provide the correct diagnosis and recommend treatment, which generally involves rest and the use of pain relievers and anti-nausea medications.
Common symptoms
The main symptoms of hepatitis A are:
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Excessive fatigue
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Headaches
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Nausea and vomiting
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Low-grade fever
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Abdominal pain
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Yellow skin and eyes
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Dark urine and pale stools
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Loss of appetite
In most cases, hepatitis A does not cause noticeable signs or symptoms and is only detected through liver function tests.
However, symptoms can take 15 to 40 days to appear after infection with the virus.
Is hepatitis A serious?
In general, hepatitis A is not serious. In some people, though, hepatitis A can cause severe liver inflammation, which may progress to acute liver failure, a condition in which the liver stops functioning quickly and progressively within a few days.
However, the progression of hepatitis A to acute liver failure is rare.
Online symptom checker
To find out your risk of having hepatitis A, select the symptoms you may be experiencing in the tool below:
The symptom checker is just a guidance tool and is not meant to diagnose or replace a consultation with a hepatologist, gastroenterologist, or primary care doctor.
How is hepatitis A diagnosed?
The diagnosis of hepatitis A must be made by a hepatologist, gastroenterologist, or primary care doctor, through an evaluation of the person's signs and symptoms.
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will order a blood test to check for antibodies against the virus (anti-HAV IgM).
Other tests that may also be requested include PCR and measurements of liver enzymes such as AST (TGO) and ALT (TGP).
How does hepatitis A spread?
The main way hepatitis A spreads is through eating or drinking food and water contaminated with the feces of people infected with the virus.
Hepatitis A transmission can occur when an infected person prepares food for others without washing their hands properly, or due to sewage contamination or inadequate water treatment.
Some risk factors for hepatitis A include:
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Close contact with infected individuals
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Use of injectable or non-injectable drugs
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Crowded environments, such as homeless shelters, syringe service programs, and correctional institutions
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Traveling to regions with high or medium endemicity for hepatitis A
Risk factors for severe hepatitis A disease include immunocompromised people, those with chronic liver disease, adults over 40 years old, and pregnant women.
Can you get hepatitis A from sex?
Hepatitis A can be transmitted through sexual activity, especially anal or oral-anal sex with an infected person.
Treatment options
Treatment must be prescribed by a doctor and usually includes medications to relieve symptoms, such as pain relievers and anti-nausea drugs.
In most cases, symptoms disappear within 10 days, and the person fully recovers from hepatitis A within 2 months.
Complementary care for hepatitis A
Complementary care for hepatitis A includes self-care measures like maintaining a healthy diet, drinking plenty of fluids, resting, and avoiding alcoholic beverages.
Can hepatitis A be cured?
Hepatitis A is curable, as the body usually produces antibodies to eliminate the virus and prevent reinfection.
Hepatitis A vaccine
The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended to prevent infection with the hepatitis A virus. In the US, it is recommended for all children aged 12 months and older, as well as for adults who are at increased risk for hepatitis A or who want to be protected.
The vaccine is available in pediatric and adult formulations and can also be given to adolescents, older adults, and pregnant women in private vaccination clinics.
How to prevent hepatitis A
In addition to the vaccine, some measures that help prevent hepatitis A are:
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Wash your hands after using the bathroom, changing diapers, or before preparing food
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Cook food thoroughly before eating, especially fish, shellfish, pork, and seafood
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Wash raw foods with treated, chlorinated, or boiled water, leaving them to soak for 30 minutes
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Wash personal items like utensils, dishes, cups, and baby bottles
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Avoid swimming or playing near open drains, streams, fountains, floods, or sewage areas
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Always drink filtered or boiled water
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Avoid building latrines near wells and river springs
It is also recommended to use condoms and wash hands, genitals, the perineum, and the anal area before and after sexual activity.