What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus.
Hepatitis A has been known by various names over the years, for example, infectious hepatitis, epidemic hepatitis.
The virus is one of several types of hepatitis viruses that cause inflammation and affect your liver's ability to function.
You're most likely to get hepatitis A from contaminated food or water or from close contact with a person or object that's infected.
Most people who are infected recover completely with no permanent liver damage.
Prevention
One of the most effective ways to protect yourself from Hepatitis A is to maintain good personal hygiene, in particular, frequent hand washing.
People at risk are vaccinated.
Symptoms
Hepatitis A signs and symptoms can include:
- Fatigue
- Sudden nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Clay-colored bowel movements
- Loss of appetite
- Low-grade fever
- Dark urine
- Joint pain
- Yellowing of the skin
- Intense itching
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have signs or symptoms of hepatitis A.
Ask your doctor or your local health department about receiving the hepatitis A vaccine if:
- You've traveled out of the country recently, particularly to Mexico or South or Central America, or to areas with poor sanitation
- A restaurant where you recently ate reports a hepatitis A outbreak
- Someone close to you, such as a roommate or caregiver, is diagnosed with hepatitis A
- You recently had sexual contact with someone who has hepatitis A
Causes
Hepatitis A is caused by a virus that infects liver cells and causes inflammation. The virus most commonly spreads when you eat or drink something contaminated with fecal matter, even just tiny amounts. It does not spread through sneezing or coughing.
Complications
Unlike other types of viral hepatitis, hepatitis A does not cause long-term liver damage, and it doesn't become chronic.
In rare cases, hepatitis A can cause a sudden loss of liver function, especially in older adults or people with chronic liver diseases. Acute liver failure requires a stay in the hospital for monitoring and treatment.
Some people with acute liver failure may need a liver transplant.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hepatitis-a/symptoms-causes/syc-20367007
