Symptoms of hepatitis A include fever, malaise (low energy), loss of appetite, stomach pain, dark-colored urine and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable illness that usually resolves without treatment.
Hepatitis A is spread through close contact with faecal matter from an infected person. It also may be spread by consuming food or drink that has been handled by an infected person.
Symptoms
Hepatitis A is caused by a virus that can cause symptoms and liver damage if it is not treated properly. It is a vaccine-preventable infection that can cause severe illness and even death in some cases.
Symptoms of hepatitis A usually appear within 2 weeks after exposure to the virus and can include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, jaundice (a yellowing of the eyes, skin, and whites of the eyes), abdominal pain, weight loss, and fever. In older children and adults, hepatitis A can lead to serious complications.
During outbreaks, hepatitis A is spread by person-to-person contact and consumption of contaminated water, food, or faeces from infected people. Risk factors for HAV transmission include injection drug use, sex with infected individuals, and traveling to areas where HAV is endemic.
Prevention
Hepatitis A outbreaks with person-to-person transmission occur when a person who is infected spreads the virus to someone else through their feces (poop). This can happen by eating food or drinking water contaminated with poop or by touching contaminated surfaces or objects.
Since 2016, large outbreaks have been reported in multiple states, with the majority of infections among people who use drugs and those experiencing homelessness. These outbreaks have led to high hospitalization and death rates.
Diagnosis
Hepatitis A is a virus that can be transmitted from person to person. Through contact with food or water that has been contaminated by an infected person’s stool. They might also have clay-colored stools or dark urine.
A blood test may help diagnose hepatitis A infection. A test will show whether you have antibodies in your blood that are called anti-HAV IgM (see figure 2).
People who get usually feel sick for a few weeks, and might have symptoms like tiredness, poor appetite, or fever. They might also have clay-colored stools or dark urine.
Hepatitis A is a serious illness that can cause liver damage or even liver failure. It is rare for it to be fatal, but people can develop cirrhosis of the liver or require an emergency liver transplant.
Treatment
Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable, highly contagious liver disease that is most commonly spread through the fecal-oral route. A healthy immune system helps the body fight off the virus. Which generally leads to a complete recovery and no long-term health consequences.
Hepatitis A can also cause a temporary loss of liver function (acute liver failure). Which is rare and requires hospitalization and treatment. In very rare cases, liver failure is life-threatening and can require a transplant.
Hepatitis A outbreaks with person-to-person transmission have been reported in more than 30 states since 2016. People most at risk for contracting the virus include people experiencing homelessness. Who use injection or non-injection drugs and men who have sex with men. Hepatitis A can also cause a temporary loss of liver function (acute liver failure).