Hepatitis A
What is Hepatitis A ?
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. The virus is one of several types of hepatitis viruses that cause liver 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. Mild cases of hepatitis A don’t require treatment. Most people who are infected recover completely with no permanent liver damage. Practicing good hygiene, including washing hands frequently, can prevent the spread of the virus. The hepatitis A vaccine can protect against hepatitis A.
Symptoms
- Unusual tiredness and weakness
- Sudden nausea and vomiting and diarrhea
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Clay- or gray-colored stool
- Loss of appetite
- Low-grade fever
- Dark urine
- Joint pain
- Jaundice
- Intense itching
Cause
Hepatitis A is caused by a virus that infects liver cells and causes inflammation. The inflammation can affect how your liver works and cause other symptoms of hepatitis A. The virus spreads when infected stool, even just tiny amounts, enters the mouth of another person (fecal-oral transmission). You may get hepatitis A when you eat or drink something contaminated with infected stool. You may also get the infection through close contact with a person who has hepatitis A. The virus can live on surfaces for a few months. The virus does not spread through casual contact or by sneezing or coughing.
Risk Factors
You’re at increased risk of hepatitis A if you Travel or work in areas of the world where hepatitis A is common. Live with another person who has hepatitis A. Are a man who has sexual contact with other men. Have any type of sexual contact with someone who has hepatitis A. Are HIV positive. Are homeless. Use any type of recreational drugs, not just those that are injected
When to see a Doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have signs or symptoms of hepatitis A. Getting a hepatitis A vaccine or an injection of immunoglobulin (an antibody) within two weeks of exposure to hepatitis A may protect you from infection. Ask your doctor or your local health department about receiving the hepatitis A vaccine if you’ve traveled out of the country recently, a restaurant where you recently ate reports a Hepatitis A outbreak, you recently had sexual contact with someone who has hepatitis A, someone close to you, such as a roommate or caregiver, is diagnosed with Hepatitis A.