Definition
Hepatitis A is one of several viral infections that affect your liver. It causes liver inflammation (hepatitis) and symptoms of mild-to-severe illness. This is an acute infection that lasts for up to two months.
Symptoms
Hepatitis A symptoms typically appear a few weeks after you’ve had the virus. But not everyone with hepatitis A develops symptoms. If you do, symptoms can include:
- Unusual tiredness and weakness
- Sudden nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Abdominal pain or discomfort, especially on the upper right side beneath your lower ribs, which is over your liver.
- Clay- or gray-colored stool
- Loss of appetite
- Low-grade fever
- Dark urine
- Joint pain
a picture of hepatitis A symptoms
Causes
Hepatitis A is caused by a virus that infects liver cells and causes inflammation. The inflammation can affect how your liver works and cause other symptoms of hepatitis A. The virus spreads when infected stool, even just tiny amounts, enters the mouth of another person (fecal-oral transmission). You may get hepatitis A when you eat or drink something contaminated with infected stool. You may also get the infection through close contact with a person who has hepatitis A. The virus can live on surfaces for a few months.
a picture of how hepatitis begins.
Prevention
The best way to prevent hepatitis A is through vaccination with the hepatitis A vaccine. To get the full benefit of the hepatitis A vaccine, more than one shot is needed. The number and timing of these shots depends on the type of vaccine you are given. Practicing good hand hygiene — including thoroughly washing hands after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before preparing or eating food — plays an important role in preventing the spread of hepatitis A.
Treatment
No specific treatment exists for hepatitis A. Your body will clear the hepatitis A virus on its own. In most cases of hepatitis A, the liver heals within six months with no lasting damage.
Hepatitis A treatment usually focuses on keeping comfortable and controlling symptoms. You may need to:
- Rest. Many people with hepatitis A feel tired and sick and have less energy.
- Get adequate food and liquid. Eat a balanced healthy diet. Nausea can make it difficult to eat. Try snacking throughout the day rather than eating full meals. To get enough calories, eat more high-calorie foods. For instance, drink fruit juice or milk rather than water. Drinking plenty of fluids is important to prevent dehydration, especially if vomiting or diarrhea occurs.
- Avoid alcohol and use medications with care. Your liver may have difficulty processing medications and alcohol. If you have hepatitis, don’t drink alcohol. It can cause liver damage. Talk to your health care provider about all the medications you take, including medications available without a prescription.
News Articles
According to John Parkson, vaccine utilization can make hepatitis A preventable death. The investigator said that deaths caused by hepatitis A in 2016 through 2022 occurred mainly among males.
According to Megan, increasing hepatitis A vaccination among adults is a good way to prevent future hepatitis A deaths.
According to John Parkson, “nearly two-thirds of decedents had at least one documented indication for hepatitis A vaccination, including drug use, homelessness, or coinfection with hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus; however, only 12 decedents had evidence of previous hepatitis A vaccination, indicating substantial missed opportunities to prevent hepatitis A deaths.”
Reference
Hepatitis A: What It IS, Symptoms, Transmission & Treatment (clevelandclinic.org)
Hepatitis A – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
What is Hepatitis A – FAQ | CDC
Majority of Eligible People Are Not Receiving Hepatitis A Vaccines (drugtopics.com)