Contents:
Medical Video: Hepatitis A and B | Nucleus Health
- Definition
What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a liver disease that results from infection due to the hepatitis A virus. The severity of this disease can range from a mild illness lasting several weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. Hepatitis A usually spreads when a person digests dirt, even in microscopic amounts, from contact with objects, food, or drinks contaminated with feces or feces from an infected person.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Some people who get Hepatitis A do not show any symptoms. If you experience symptoms, it might include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Gag
- Abdominal pain
- Dark urine
- Colored stools like clay
- Joint pain
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
- How to overcome
What should I do?
If you have questions about exposure to Hepatitis A, contact your doctor.
If you have recently been exposed to the Hepatitis A virus and haven't been vaccinated against hepatitis A, you may need an injection of either an immune globulin or a Hepatitis A vaccine. However, vaccines or immune globulin must be given within the first 2 weeks after exposure to work effectively. Your doctor can decide on the best alternative based on your age and overall health condition.
When do I have to see a doctor?
If you feel you have Hepatitis A, contact your doctor or local health center immediately.
- Prevention
The best way to prevent Hepatitis A is through vaccination with the Hepatitis A vaccine. Vaccinations are recommended for all children, for tourists for certain countries, and for people at high risk of getting infected with the virus.
Always wash your hands with soap and warm water after using the bathroom, changing diapers, or before preparing food to help prevent the spread of Hepatitis A.
The people below may not get the hepatitis A vaccine or should delay vaccination:
- Anyone who has had a severe (life-threatening) allergic reaction with the previous dose of hepatitis A vaccine, may not get this vaccine again.
- Anyone who has a severe (life-threatening) allergy to this vaccine component may not get a vaccine. Tell your doctor if you have severe allergies, including severe allergies to latex. All hepatitis A vaccines contain alum and some hepatitis A vaccines contain 2-phenoxyethanol.
- Anyone who is sick or seriously ill at the scheduled injection may have to wait until healed. Ask your doctor. People with minor ailments can usually get a vaccine.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Because the hepatitis A vaccine is not active, the risk for pregnant women or unborn babies is believed to be very low. But your doctor can weigh the theoretical risks of vaccines against your health.
