Contents:
- Medical Video: What Is Hepatitis A?
- What causes hepatitis A?
- Who is at high risk of being infected with hepatitis A?
- What are the signs and symptoms of hepatitis A?
- What are the complications of hepatitis A that might occur?
- How do doctors diagnose hepatitis A?
- What are the available hepatitis A treatments?
- Can hepatitis C transmission be prevented?
Medical Video: What Is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). This virus is one of several types of hepatitis viruses that cause inflammation and affect the ability of the liver to function.
Here are all the basic information about hepatitis A that you need to know.
What causes hepatitis A?
The hepatitis A virus is usually transmitted when a person consumes, water or food that has been contaminated with faeces from another person infected with the HAV virus. Transmission can even occur even if you consume it in very small quantities.
There are various ways of transmission of hepatitis A, such as:
- Eating food prepared by someone who is infected with this virus that does not wash his hands thoroughly after from the toilet
- Drink contaminated water or from sources that are not clean
- Eat raw shellfish from water contaminated with this virus
- Make close contact with an infected person - even if the person shows no signs or symptoms
- Having unprotected sex with someone who is infected with this virus
The HAV virus infects the liver cells causing inflammation. This inflammation can interfere with liver function and cause other signs and symptoms.
Who is at high risk of being infected with hepatitis A?
Everyone can get hepatitis. But there are several factors that can increase your risk of getting hepatitis A, namely::
- Traveling to a country with high hepatitis A levels
- Children in child care and teachers
- Men who have sex with other men (homosexuals)
- Positive HIV
- Suffering from blood clotting disorders, such as hemophilia
- Using injecting drugs
- live with someone who has hepatitis A
- is a sexual partner of someone suffering from acute HAV infection
What are the signs and symptoms of hepatitis A?
Initially, hepatitis A may appear mild about a few weeks after exposure to the virus. Common symptoms of hepatitis A include:
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain or discomfort, especially in the area of the liver on the right side under the lower ribs
- Loss of appetite
- Mild fever
- Dark urine like tea
- Joint pain
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
If you have mild hepatitis A, this condition lasts for several weeks, and if you have severe hepatitis A, this condition lasts for several months. Most people infected with the HAV virus do not experience symptoms.
Seek medical attention if you suspect signs or symptoms of hepatitis A above. If you have been exposed to the hepatitis virus, receiving a hepatitis A vaccine or immunoglobulin therapy within two weeks of exposure can protect yourself from infection. Ask your doctor about hepatitis vaccine if:
- You have recently traveled abroad, especially to Mexico or South America or Central America, or to areas with poor hygiene
- The place that you recently visited reported that there had been an outbreak of the HAV virus
- Someone close to you, such as a family member who lives together or is your household assistant, is diagnosed with hepatitis A
- You have recently had unprotected sex (vaginal, anal, oral) with someone who has HAV
What are the complications of hepatitis A that might occur?
HAV viruses generally do not develop chronic and do not cause long-term liver damage. In rare cases, hepatitis A can cause sudden damage to liver function, especially in the elderly or people who suffer from chronic liver disease. You must be hospitalized to be monitored and treated if you experience acute liver failure. In rare situations, some people can experience liver failure and need a liver transplant.
How do doctors diagnose hepatitis A?
Doctors usually advise you to take blood tests to detect the presence of hepatitis viruses in the body, and whether the disease is acute or chronic.Blood tests can help doctors start treatment or advocate lifestyle changes that can slow down the process of liver damage.
Your doctor may also want to take liver tissue samples to be examined (biopsy) to determine if you have liver damage.
What are the available hepatitis A treatments?
There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A. The body will cleanse itself of the HAV virus. In most cases, the liver can heal itself in six months without permanent damage. Your doctor can carry out further tests that check liver function to ensure that your body has undergone healing.
Treatment of HAV usually focuses on reducing the signs and symptoms. You may have to:
- A lot of rest. HAV viruses often make sufferers feel tired, not feeling well, and underpowered.
- Overcoming nausea Nausea can make it difficult for you to eat. Try to divide the food into small portions to spend in a day compared to eating a lot at one time. Consume high-calorie foods to get enough energy. For example, drink fruit juice and milk instead of just water.
- Rest your heart. A liver infected with HAV may have difficulty absorbing drugs and alcohol. Consult a doctor before using drugs, including over-the-counter drugs. Do not drink liquor during infection with hepatitis.
You can control transmission of hepatitis A by:
- Avoid sexual intercourse. This is because many types of sexual activity can transmit the infection to your partner, so avoid all sexual activity if you have hepatitis. All safety forms, such as condoms, do not provide adequate protection.
- Wash hands thoroughly from the toilet. Rub hands with soap for 20 seconds and rinse thoroughly. Dry your hands with a tissue.
- Do not prepare food for other people if your infection is still active. You can easily transmit the infection to other people.
Can hepatitis C transmission be prevented?
Receiving vaccinations is the best protection. If you experience contact with a person with hepatitis A, you can get a special drug called immunoglobulin in 2 weeks.
Vaccination is recommended for:
- A traveler who travels to regions of the world with high rates of hepatitis A infection
- Men who have sex with other men
- Drug user
- Anyone suffering from long-term liver disease
- Anyone who suffers from chronic liver disease
- Anyone who receives treatment with clotting factor concentrates
- All children aged 1 year or more who have not received the HAV vaccine at the age of 1 year
- Laboratory staff, doctors, or nurses who may experience contact with hepatitis A
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
