What is hepatitis A? What are the symptoms, causes, and risk factors of this liver infection? How is it diagnosed and treated? Explore the comprehensive details on hepatitis A and find answers to all your questions.

Understanding Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A, also known as hep A, is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. This viral disease can range in severity, with some individuals experiencing only a mild illness that lasts a few weeks, while others may have more severe complications that can persist for months. The hepatitis A virus typically spreads through the consumption of contaminated food or water, or through close personal contact with an infected person.

Hepatitis A Symptoms

The symptoms of hepatitis A can vary, with many people, especially children, not experiencing any symptoms at all. However, for those who do develop symptoms, some common signs include:

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Abdominal pain
• Dark urine
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Itching
• Pale-colored stool
• Joint pain
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue

These symptoms usually appear 2-6 weeks after exposure to the virus and can last for up to 6 months, with periods of improvement and relapse.

Hepatitis A Causes and Risk Factors

So, what causes hepatitis A? The hepatitis A virus is primarily transmitted through the consumption of contaminated food or water, or through close personal contact with an infected individual. Some common ways the virus can be spread include:

• Eating fruits, vegetables, or other foods handled or prepared by a person with the virus
• Consuming raw or undercooked shellfish harvested from contaminated water
• Swallowing contaminated ice or water
• Having sex with someone who has the virus
• Touching your mouth after touching a contaminated object

Certain groups are also at a higher risk of contracting hepatitis A, including:

• Those who have close contact with someone infected with the virus
• Travelers to countries where hepatitis A is more common
• Individuals who are homeless
• People who use recreational drugs, even without needles
• Those with blood clotting disorders like hemophilia
• Men who have sex with men
• Children in childcare settings and their caregivers
• People living with HIV

Diagnosing Hepatitis A

To diagnose hepatitis A, your doctor will typically start by asking about your symptoms and checking your blood for signs of liver enzyme abnormalities. They will then conduct additional blood tests to look for the presence of specific antibodies:

• IgM antibodies: These are produced when you are first exposed to the hepatitis A virus and typically remain in the blood for 3-6 months.
• IgG antibodies: These indicate a past hepatitis A infection or previous vaccination, and may be present for life, providing long-term protection.

If you test positive for IgG antibodies but not IgM, it means you have had a hepatitis A infection in the past or have been vaccinated against the virus.

Treating Hepatitis A

There is no specific medication that can cure hepatitis A once you have it. Instead, your doctor will focus on providing supportive care to manage your symptoms until the virus runs its course. Some key steps in the treatment of hepatitis A include:

• Getting plenty of rest
• Maintaining hydration and nutrition, even if you are experiencing nausea and vomiting
• Avoiding alcohol, as it can further stress the liver
• Informing your doctor about any medications you are taking, as they may need to be adjusted

In most cases, the hepatitis A virus will resolve on its own without causing any long-term complications. Rarely, some individuals may develop liver failure or require a liver transplant.

Preventing Hepatitis A

The best way to prevent hepatitis A is through vaccination. The hepatitis A vaccine is highly effective, providing protection in about 95% of healthy adults for more than 20 years. In children, the vaccine is around 85% effective and can last 15-20 years. Experts recommend the hepatitis A vaccine for:

• Travelers to countries with higher rates of hepatitis A
• All children between 12-23 months of age
• Unvaccinated children and adolescents aged 2-18 years
• Families adopting children from countries where hepatitis A is common
• Men who have sex with men
• People with blood clotting disorders like hemophilia
• Those experiencing homelessness
• People with direct contact with a person infected with the virus
• Individuals who use recreational drugs
• Those with chronic liver disease
• Anyone else who wants to be protected against the virus

The hepatitis A vaccine is administered in two doses, spaced 6 months apart. A combination vaccine for hepatitis A and B is also available, which requires three shots over 6 months.

Key Takeaways

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. While it can range in severity, the virus typically resolves on its own without causing long-term complications. The best way to prevent hepatitis A is through vaccination, which is recommended for a variety of high-risk groups. If you suspect you may have been exposed to the virus, it’s important to seek medical attention and follow your doctor’s guidance for managing your symptoms until the infection clears.

Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• What Is Hepatitis A?
• Hepatitis A Symptoms
• Hepatitis A Causes
• Hepatitis A Risk Factors
• Hepatitis A Diagnosis
• Hepatitis A Treatment
• Hepatitis A Complications
• Hepatitis A Vaccine
• Hepatitis A Vaccine and Travel
• Hepatitis A Prevention
• Hepatitis A Transmission Prevention
• More

Hepatitis A, also called hep A, is a contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. Some people have only a mild illness that lasts a few weeks. Others have more severe problems that can last months. You usually get the disease when you eat or drink something contaminated by poop from a person who has the virus.

The hepatitis A virus usually isn’t dangerous. Almost everyone who has it gets better. But because it can take a while to go away, you’ll need to take care of yourself in the meantime.

If you have this infection, the virus is causing inflammation in your liver. Some people, especially many children, don’t have symptoms. Others might have:

• Jaundice (yellow eyes and skin)
• Belly pain
• Dark urine
• Loss of appetite
• Upset stomach
• Vomiting
• Itching
• Pale-colored poop
• Joint pain
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue

These problems tend to go away after about 2 months but might keep coming back for up to 6 months.

You can spread the hepatitis A virus even if you feel fine. You can also spread it about 2 weeks before your symptoms appear and during the first week after they show up.

You can catch the disease by drinking water or eating food that’s been contaminated by someone with the virus. You can also get hepatitis A if you:

• Eat fruits, vegetables, or other foods handled or prepared by a person who has the virus
• Eat raw shellfish harvested from water where the virus lives
• Swallow contaminated ice
• Have sex with someone who has it
• Touch your mouth after touching a contaminated object

You could be at higher risk of getting the disease if you:

• Have close contact with someone who’s infected
• Travel to countries where hepatitis A is common
• Are homeless
• Use recreational drugs, even without needles
• Have a blood clotting disorder like hemophilia
• Work with primates
• Have HIV

Also at higher risk are:

• Men who have sex with men
• Kids in child care and their teachers

Your doctor will first ask about your symptoms and check for high levels of liver enzymes in your blood. Then, they’ll do more blood tests to look for:

• IgM (immunoglobulin M) antibodies. Your body makes these when you’re first exposed to hepatitis A. They stay in your blood for about 3 to 6 months.
• IgG (immunoglobulin G) antibodies. These show up after the virus has been in your body for a while. You may have them all your life. They protect you against hepatitis A. If you test positive for them but not for IgM antibodies, it means you had a hepatitis A infection in the past or had vaccinations to protect against it.

No medication can get rid of the hepatitis A virus once you have it. Your doctor will treat your symptoms — they may call this supportive care — until it goes away. They’ll also do tests that check how well your liver is working to be sure your body is healing like it should.

You can take these steps to make yourself more comfortable:

• Get some rest. You’ll probably feel tired and sick and have less energy than usual.
• Try to keep food down. The nausea that sometimes comes with hepatitis A can make it tough to eat. It may be easier to snack during the day than to eat full meals. To make sure you get enough nutrients, go for more high-calorie foods and drink fruit juice or milk instead of water. Fluids will also help keep you hydrated if you’re throwing up.
• Avoid alcohol. It’s harder for your liver to handle medications and alcohol when you have the virus. Plus, drinking can lead to more liver damage. Tell your doctor about any medications you take, including over-the-counter drugs, as these might also hurt your liver.

The virus usually doesn’t cause any long-term problems or complications. Rarely, you may have liver failure or need a transplant.

The vaccine to prevent it is about 95% effective in healthy adults and can work for more than 20 years. In children, it’s about 85% effective and can last 15 to 20 years.

Experts recommend that certain people get vaccinated:

• Travelers to countries with more hepatitis A infections
• All children ages 13-23 months
• All children and adolescents ages 2-18 who did not previously receive a vaccine
• Families adopting children from countries where the virus is common
• Men who have sex with men
• People who have a blood clotting problem
• Those experiencing homelessness
• People who have direct contact with a person with the virus
• People who use recreational drugs
• People who have long-term liver disease
• Anyone else who wants to be protected against the virus
• The hepatitis A vaccine includes two injections 6 months apart. A combination vaccine for hepatitis A and B has three shots over 6 months.

If you’re going to a country where hepatitis A is common and you’ve never had the virus or the vaccine, start the vaccination process as soon as you can. It takes 2 to 4 weeks after the first dose for the vaccine to work, but even one shot a few days before you leave will give you some protection.

People who are allergic to something in the vaccine and children younger than 6 months might instead get a shot of immune globulin (IG), which will protect against hepatitis A for up to 2 months.

The vaccine is your best defense. If you come into contact with someone who has hepatitis A, you can get the vaccine or an IG shot within 2 weeks for some protection.

Good hygiene is also important. Always wash your hands with soap and water after using the bathroom, before and after handling food, and after changing a diaper.

When you travel to a place with poor sanitation, don’t drink tap water or eat raw food.

When you have hepatitis A, take these steps to keep from giving it to others:

• Avoid all sexual activity.
• Wash your hands after you use the bathroom or change diapers.
• Don’t prepare food for other people.

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Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

Hepatitis A is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis A is very contagious and transmitted through food or water containing the virus.

Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver caused by exposure to toxins, alcohol misuse, immune diseases, or infection. Viruses cause the majority of cases of hepatitis, including all cases of hepatitis A.

Hepatitis A is a form of the disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). This is an acute (short-term) type of hepatitis, which usually requires no treatment.

Approximately 1.5 million cases of hepatitis A occur around the world each year, with annual rates increasing in the United States. This highly contagious form of hepatitis is spread primarily through contaminated food or water. It generally isn’t serious and usually causes no long-term effects. A hepatitis A infection usually goes away on its own.

Children under the age of 6 typically show no symptoms when they contract the virus. Older children, teens, and adults usually develop mild symptoms, which can include:

• flu-like symptoms (fever, fatigue, body aches)
• abdominal pain (especially in the right upper quadrant)
• light-colored stool
• dark urine
• loss of appetite
• unexplained weight loss
• jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)

Symptoms usually appear 14 to 28 days after you contract the virus.

People develop a hepatitis A infection after contracting HAV. This virus is typically transmitted by ingesting food or liquid contaminated with fecal matter that contains the virus. Once transmitted, the virus spreads through the bloodstream to the liver, where it causes inflammation and swelling.

In addition to transmission from eating food or drinking water containing HAV, the virus can also be spread by close personal contact with someone who already has it. HAV is contagious, and a person who has hepatitis A can easily pass the disease to others living in the same household.

You can contract hepatitis A by:

• eating food prepared by someone with the hepatitis A virus
• eating food handled by preparers who don’t follow strict hand-washing routines before touching food that you eat
• eating sewage-contaminated raw shellfish
• having sex with someone who has the hepatitis A virus
• drinking polluted water
• coming in contact with hepatitis A-infected fecal matter

If you contract the virus, you’ll be contagious 2 weeks before symptoms even appear. The contagious period ends about 1 week after symptoms appear.

The No. 1 way to avoid getting hepatitis A is by getting the hepatitis A vaccine. This vaccine is given in a series of two injections, 6 to 12 months apart.

If you’re traveling to a country where hepatitis A transmission is more common, get your vaccination at least 2 weeks before traveling. It usually takes 2 weeks after the first injection for your body to start building immunity to hepatitis A. If you’re not traveling for at least a year, it’s best to get both injections before leaving.

Check your destination on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) site to see if you should get a hepatitis A vaccination.

To limit your chance of contracting hepatitis A, you should also:

• thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water before eating or drinking, and after using the restroom
• drink bottled water rather than local water in developing countries, or in countries where there’s a high risk of contracting hepatitis A
• dine at established, reputable restaurants, rather than from street vendors
• avoid eating peeled or raw fruit and vegetables in an area with low sanitation or hygienic standards

Hepatitis A is usually spread from person to person, making it highly contagious. But certain factors can increase your risk of contracting it, including:

• living in (or spending an extended time in) an area where hepatitis A is common, including most countries with low sanitation standards or a lack of safe water
• injecting or using illegal drugs
• living in the same household as someone who’s hepatitis A-positive
• having sexual activity with someone who’s hepatitis A-positive (barrier methods don’t adequately prevent the spread of hepatitis A)
• being HIV-positive
• working with non-human primates

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that more than 90 percent of children living in countries with low sanitation standards will have had a hepatitis A infection by age 10.

In past decades, people with clotting disorders like hemophilia were at higher risk of contracting hepatitis A via transfusion therapy, though these cases are extremely rare today.

Some people have only a few symptoms and no signs of jaundice. Without visible signs of jaundice, it’s hard to diagnose any form of hepatitis through a physical examination. When symptoms are minimal, hepatitis A can remain undiagnosed.

After you discuss your symptoms with your doctor, they may order a blood test to check for the presence of a viral or bacterial infection. A blood test will reveal the presence (or absence) of the hepatitis A virus.

Complications due to a lack of diagnosis are rare.

There’s no formal cure for hepatitis A. Because it’s a short-term viral infection that goes away on its own, treatment is typically focused on reducing your symptoms.

After a few weeks of rest, the symptoms of hepatitis A usually begin to improve. To ease your symptoms, you should:

• avoid alcohol
• maintain a balanced diet
• drink plenty of water
• limit the use of over-the-counter medications per your doctor’s suggestions

With rest, your body will most likely recover completely from hepatitis A in a matter of weeks or a few months. Usually, there are no negative long-term consequences of having the virus.

In extremely rare cases, hepatitis A can lead to acute liver failure. This complication is most common in older adults and people who already have chronic liver disease. If this occurs, you’ll be hospitalized. Even in cases of liver failure, a full recovery is likely. Very rarely is a liver transplant required.

After contracting hepatitis A, your body builds immunity to the disease. A healthy immune system will prevent the disease from developing if you’re exposed to the virus again.

Hepatitis A: treatment of viral hepatitis A in St. Petersburg

This disease is treated by Hepatologist

The information provided on this page should not be used for self-treatment or self-diagnosis. If you suspect a disease, you should seek help from a qualified specialist. Only your doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment.

What is hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a severe liver disease caused by infection with the hepatitis A virus. It is also called “dirty hand disease”. Dirty water, poorly washed food causes illness for millions of people around the world. The disease is also known as Botkin’s disease.

Signs of hepatitis A

The first clinical signs of hepatitis A occur after an average of 30 days. Symptoms will depend on the age of the patient, the individual characteristics of the organism.

Often symptoms at the beginning of the progression of hepatitis A remind everyone of the familiar signs of influenza: headache, fever, chills. Possible weakness, skin rashes. Some patients report joint pain.

Hepatitis A impairs the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The main confirmation of this is the total loss of appetite up to the complete refusal of food. There are also vomiting, diarrhea.

Most important A diagnostic sign of hepatitis A is dark urine, similar in color to beer, and discolored feces.

Contrary to popular belief, jaundice is not characteristic of all forms of hepatitis, but hepatitis A is almost always present. Jaundice is a pathological condition in which bile produced by the liver enters the bloodstream, turning the skin and whites of the eyes yellowish.

If there are signs of hepatitis A, it is necessary to immediately isolate the patient from others, provide him with separate dishes, bed linen, personal hygiene items.

Special attention should be paid to preschool children because they do not show the standard signs of hepatitis A at all.

Treatment therapy. The first reduces the intoxication that accompanies liver damage. Such therapy includes solutions that will dilute the blood containing toxins, removing them from the body.

Symptomatic therapy will improve the general condition of a patient suffering from Botkin’s disease, eliminate the symptoms of hepatitis A. In addition, in hepatological practice, a solution of glucose and vitamins, hepatoprotectors (drugs that protect liver cells) are used.

Treatment also includes compulsory diet . Doctors usually choose the 5th table according to Pevzner. It is used during an exacerbation of the disease.

In St. Petersburg, you can get a highly qualified consultation and treatment of hepatitis by contacting the “SM-Clinic”. Reception at the clinic is conducted by experienced hepatologists who conduct a wide range of studies using the latest equipment and using modern techniques.

Make an appointment and experienced specialists of SM-Clinic will help you.

Article published : 28/06/2013
Last updated : 01/02/2023

See also

Liver fibrosis

Amyloidosis

Cholangitis

Hepatitis A.

Hepatitis A treatment. How you can get hepatitis A virus.

Hepatitis is a viral disease that affects the functioning of the liver. Hepatitis A requires treatment under the supervision of qualified doctors, because if therapy is neglected, the disease will continue to develop. The hepatitis A virus has another name – Botkin’s disease. It is not difficult to detect a virus in the body – for this you need to pass laboratory tests.

The hepatitis A virus is usually spread by the fecal-oral route through household items, dirty water or contaminated food. If you do not follow the basic rules of hygiene, the risk of contracting an ailment increases several times.

Hepatitis A symptoms

Usually the incubation period lasts from several weeks to a month. But there are exceptions – there were cases in which the incubation period lasted only a couple of days.

Body temperature in hepatitis A increases, the maximum value is 39degrees. The patient is shivering. This is a common reaction of the body to a viral disease, so hepatitis A is often confused with the flu or SARS. The patient complains of a decrease in energy and rapid fatigue. He constantly wants to sleep. Among other things, the former appetite disappears. Vomiting can occur even after one sip of water.

After a while, the whites of the eyes and the skin begin to turn yellow. Due to the breakdown of red blood cells, a large concentration of bilirubin accumulates in the blood. The liver with hepatitis does not cope well with its functions, so bilirubin enters the bloodstream and gives the appropriate pigmentation.

With hepatitis A, the urine darkens and the feces become colorless. During the course of the disease, pain is felt in the liver and weakness in the muscles.

How is the hepatitis A virus spread?

Statistics show that approximately 1,500,000 people fall ill with hepatitis A each year. The problem is that at the beginning the disease may not manifest itself symptomatically. Thus, many infected people may not even know that an infection has occurred.

Viral hepatitis A is most often observed in places where sanitary standards are not observed. Outbreaks of infection are often recorded in African countries, where water is not properly cleaned before drinking. However, people from any country can become infected with the disease.

When is the risk of infection extremely high?

– when swimming in polluted water bodies;

– when eating contaminated food and liquid;

– through intimate contact with a carrier of the virus;

– when using someone else’s hygiene items;

– through the blood;

– through dirty hands.

If you plan to spend your holiday in a country where the incidence of hepatitis A is higher than usual, be sure to get vaccinated. In the 21st century, anyone can get vaccinated against hepatitis A.

Treatment of hepatitis A in the First Izmailovo Clinic of Dr. Bandurina

After receiving the test results, the doctor prescribes the appropriate therapy for patients.