Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A – General Information

Hepatitis A is considered a very contagious liver infection caused by type A of the virus. Not as severe as other kinds of viral hepatitis, this form of disease can cause inflammation that affects the patient’s liver, especially its ability to function. This kind of disease can be taken from contaminated food and water or from close contact with an infected individual, even if he presents no obvious signs. In almost all the cases, the disease manifests asymptomatically, but when the patient does experience signs and symptoms, they are similar to the ones caused by a severe form of flu. Usually, mild cases of Hepatitis A do not need treatment, because almost all patients who have been infected can completely recover, without permanent liver damage. Unlike the other form of the disease, this type does not develop into chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis, both considered life threatening conditions. There are many ways to prevent the development of Hepatitis A; they can include practicing a good hygiene, washing the hands often, or administrating effective vaccines. This kind of condition is usually transmitted through the oral route, which means that a patient can contact the disease by eating without washing his hands after using the toilet, or drinking contaminated water. Usually, the disease is contagious in the first stages, when the patient does not experience symptoms. The virus can also be sexually transmitted or by sharing needles with an infected person, or in some rare cases, through blood transfusion with blood infected with the virus.

Hepatitis A – Symptoms

There are cases in which a patient who is suffering from Hepatitis A can experience no signs and symptoms at all. Usually, young patients, tend to present mild symptoms that can progress with age. Generally, if the patient is infected with this kind of virus for more than one month, which is the average incubation period, he can start to experience vague signs. But when the signs and symptoms do appear, they occur suddenly, and can be similar to the ones caused by another more common condition called intestinal flu or gastroenteritis. In most cases, the symptoms can appear as fatigue, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain or discomfort, especially in the part of the body where the liver is located, on the patient’s right side beneath his lower ribs, loss of appetite, low grade fever, dark urine, muscle pain and itching. There are cases in which the patient can experience yellow spots on the whites of his eye, a condition also known as jaundice. Not all patients who are suffering from Hepatitis A develop this condition. It is likely that the patient will regain more energy after the signs and symptoms of Hepatitis A have disappeared. His liver will recover completely in almost two months. There are cases in which the patient’s liver will recover in approximately six months, depending on the severity of the disease. Individuals tend to contact the virus if they work or live in areas with high rates of hepatitis, are sexually active or use injected drugs.

Hepatitis A – Treatment

It is very important to call the doctor if the patient is experiencing signs and symptoms of Hepatitis A or if he thinks that he has been exposed to the virus. Fortunately, there are many tests that can accurately diagnose the type of disease. In most cases, blood tests are made, to diagnose the disease, by measuring bilirubin and enzyme levels. Generally, the liver metabolizes the residue of dead red blood cells, which are then excreted through urine. Usually, the disease interferes with the liver’s ability to metabolize the residue, causing an elevation of the patient’s blood levels. The doctor can also determine if the patient presents elevated blood levels of enzymes called aminotransferases, which are secreted when the liver presents a malfunction. There are cases in which although both of the tests above show that the patient is suffering from Hepatitis A, he will need another blood test called radioimmunoassay, which is applied to determine the exact type of disease that the patient has. This procedure identifies the antibodies that the patient’s immune system has produced to fight the antigens or proteins that are characteristic to this kind of virus.

There are cases in which if the test is made too soon, it can show that the patient is healthy, because the antibodies can appear only after several weeks. There is no available treatment for Hepatitis A, but the doctor can focus on the patient’s nutrition or on the avoidance of future liver damage. If the patient is permanently experiencing the symptom of nausea, doctor can prescribe a diet with small snacks instead of the three large meals. In most cases, soft, easy to digest products such as soups, broth, yogurt, and toast can help curing the disease. Usually, it is recommended to eat in the beginning of the day, because in this way the patient tolerates food with greater ease. It is also very important to talk to the doctor, after the diagnosis of Hepatitis A is established, about the future treatment trials, including the non-prescription medicines. There are cases in which the doctor can stop or change the treatment. Usually, it is recommended that the patient avoid drinking alcohol while he experiences the signs and symptoms of the disease. It is also important for the patient not to drink alcohol, even after he has recovered (especially alcoholic products in combination with acetaminophen, prescribed as Tylenol). In most cases, combining alcohol with certain medicines will lead to the appearance of liver damage, even if the patient is not suffering for Hepatitis A. Usually, the fulminant form of the condition requires hospitalization and close monitoring, and applying the necessary fluids and nutrition, to avoid complications such as bleeding. There are cases in which the fulminant form of the disease requires a liver transplant. There are certain measures the patient can follow to prevent the disease’s appearance and can include rest, drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, avoidance of medicines that can cause liver damage such as acetaminophen, stop drinking alcohol and avoidance of vigorous exercise until the signs and symptoms improve.

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Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A – General Information

Hepatitis A – Symptoms

Hepatitis A – Treatment

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