| What
is hepatitis A? |
Hepatitis A
is a viral infection of the liver caused by
the hepatitis A virus, or HAV. It is not a
long-lasting or chronic infection, and nearly
all people recover from hepatitis A within
six months without any lasting health problems.
However, the symptoms of hepatitis A may be
uncomfortable and may disrupt daily activities.
The average adult patient can miss up to five
weeks of work because of the illness.
Hepatitis A poses a greater threat to certain
people, including those with other liver diseases
and people over 60. These patients have a
higher chance of liver failure after becoming
infected with hepatitis A. If you get hepatitis
A and recover, you will never get it again
and you cannot transmit the virus to others. |
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| What
are the symptoms of hepatitis A? |
| Symptoms of
hepatitis A can occur two to seven weeks after
infection with the virus. The symptoms are
usually mild. Low energy is the most common
symptom. Others may include fever, loss of
appetite, nausea, fatigue, headache, muscle
soreness, pain near the liver and jaundice
(a yellowing of the skin and whites of the
eyes). The symptoms almost always go away
within two months. Children may not have any
symptoms, even though they can spread the
infection to others. |
| |
| What
causes hepatitis A? |
Most cases
of hepatitis A are caused by consuming food
or water contaminated with fecal matter that
contains the virus. Common causes of transmission
include:
- Poor personal hygiene among people involved
in food or meal preparation
- Eating raw or undercooked shellfish
that came from waters polluted by sewage
- Failure to wash hands after changing
a diaper or after using the bathroom
Hepatitis A infection is likely to occur
wherever hygiene may be a problem. Workers
and children at daycare centers may contract
and/or spread the virus through fecal-oral
contamination due to diaper changing. Outbreaks
have also occurred at military installations,
institutions for the disabled and prisons.
Occasionally, hepatitis A spreads within
households or at restaurants. |
| |
| How
is hepatitis A diagnosed? |
| Hepatitis A
is diagnosed with a blood test. If you think
you have hepatitis A, it is important to see
a doctor right away to get a diagnosis. Symptoms
of hepatitis A are similar to those of other
liver diseases that can be potentially more
serious. |
| |
| How
is hepatitis A treated? |
If you are
not vaccinated and may have been recently
exposed to the hepatitis A virus, tell your
doctor immediately. He or she should give
you a single dose of hepatitis A vaccine or
immune globulin as soon as possible. This
treatment is intended to help boost your immunity
and reduce your risk of developing a full-blown
infection.
- For healthy persons ages 1 to 40, a
single dose of hepatitis A vaccine is
recommended.
- For persons over 40 years of age, immune
globulin is recommended.
- For children under 1 year of age, immunocompromised
individuals, and those with chronic liver
disease, immune globulin is recommended.
If you do develop a hepatitis A infection,
you should not require additional medical
treatment. The symptoms are usually mild
and the disease goes away on its own in
almost all cases. People with hepatitis
A should reduce the pace of their daily
activities to match their loss of energy.
A balanced diet with plenty of fluids is
also helpful.
Your liver's ability to break down drugs
is weakened while you have hepatitis A,
and alcohol may cause further damage to
your liver. Therefore, if you have hepatitis
A, you should not take any drug or herbal
supplement unless approved by your doctor,
and avoid alcohol.
People with hepatitis A may experience itchy
skin; this can be controlled with non-prescription
anti-itch medicine. |
| |
| If
I've been diagnosed with hepatitis A, what
should I ask my doctor? |
Talk to you
doctor about how to avoid spreading the disease
to others, including those living in your
household. Also, ask your doctor if your household
members and people with whom you have recently
been in close contact should receive hepatitis
A vaccine or immune globulin.
If you already have another liver disease,
make sure your doctor knows. Having hepatitis
A and another liver disease at the same time
can increase your risk of liver failure. |
| |
| Who
is at risk for hepatitis A? |
Anyone can
get hepatitis A; as many as one out of three
Americans will get hepatitis A during their
lifetime.
However, you may be at higher risk for infection
if you:
- Live in the same household as an infected
person
- Have sexual contact with an infected
person
- Travel in regions where hepatitis A
is common, including the Middle East,
South America, Eastern Europe, Central
America (including Mexico), Africa, Southeast
Asia and the Caribbean.
- Are a man who has sex with men
- Use illegal drugs (injection or non-injection)
|
| |
| What
is the best way to prevent hepatitis A? |
Vaccination
is the best way to prevent hepatitis A. Hepatitis
A vaccine is given in 2 doses, separated by
6-12 months. Vaccination is recommended for:
- All children age one and older
- People traveling in regions where hepatitis
A is common including the Middle East,
South America, Eastern Europe, Central
America (including Mexico), Africa, Southeast
Asia and the Caribbean.
- For most otherwise healthy adults,
a single dose of hepatitis A vaccine
prior to departure is sufficient.
- Older adults, immunocompromised persons
and those with chronic medical problems
planning to depart within two weeks
should receive both the vaccine and
immune globulin.
- Travelers who elect not to receive
vaccine or are less than one year of
age should receive a single dose of
immune globulin.
- Patients with long-term liver disease
or blood-clotting disorders such as hemophilia
- People who have had, or are waiting
for, a liver transplant
- People who use illegal drugs
- Men who have sex with men
- Persons recently exposed to hepatitis
A
Another important way to avoid getting
or spreading hepatitis A is to practice
good personal hygiene. Always clean your
hands with soap and warm water immediately
after using the bathroom or changing a diaper,
and before preparing or eating food. |
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