Rani testing Hepatitis A update Hepatitis A is a liver disease

• Makes cholesterol that your body uses in different ways

• Helps produce certain hormones, protects your cells and is a key ingredient in bile production

• Makes proteins — like clotting factors that manage bleeding and albumin, which manages fluid pressure in your bloodstream

• Helps keep your blood glucose levels steady by storing glycogen (glucose) and releasing it into your bloodstream to keep your blood sugar levels on an even keel

• Breaks down toxins and germs so they safely leave your body in your pee and poop

What are the symptoms of hepatitis A infection?

Symptoms in adults and children over six include:

• Stomach pain, especially in the upper right quadrant.
• Loss of appetite.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Weakness and fatigue.
• Fever.
• Jaundice (yellowing of your skin and eyes).
• Joint pain.
• Itchy skin.
• Light-colored poop and dark-colored pee.

Younger children may not show signs or symptoms of infection. About 10% develop jaundice.

When do symptoms develop?

Symptoms appear between two to five weeks after contracting the virus. This is the incubation period when the virus is busy replicating in your body. When the virus has replicated enough to register as a threat, your immune system launches an attack against it. This is where the symptoms come from.

How long do symptoms last?

The symptoms last as long as it takes for your immune system to defeat the virus. It takes at least a few weeks. Most people recover in less than two months, but a small number of people have symptoms for up to six months. Sometimes, symptoms appear to be gone but then return for another round (relapse).

Are you contagious even if you don’t have symptoms?

Yes. You may be contagious for up to two weeks before symptoms develop, and up to three weeks afterward. Some people, including most children, never develop symptoms, but they can still spread the virus. Even after the peak contagious period, the virus may survive on surfaces in your environment.

How do you get hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A transmission commonly occurs through food poisoning. It can also occur through close personal contact with a person who is infected. The virus lives in the blood and poop of people who’ve been infected. Transmission occurs when it enters the body of an uninfected person, often by mouth.

Trace amounts of poop containing the virus can contaminate food at any stage of production, from harvesting to storage to cooking or preparation. Freezing doesn’t kill the virus, and it can live in temperatures of up to 185 degrees Fahrenheit (85 degrees Celsius). It can survive for months outside of a body.

Without rigorous handwashing, a person who’s infected can easily contaminate their environment or food with trace amounts of poop. They can also transfer it to you through physical contact. A person who’s infected and uses needles can spread the virus by sharing them or not disposing of them safely.

When do symptoms develop?

Symptoms appear between two to five weeks after contracting the virus. This is the incubation period when the virus is busy replicating in your body. When the virus has replicated enough to register as a threat, your immune system launches an attack against it. This is where the symptoms come from.

Is hepatitis A an STD (sexually transmitted disease)?

It can be transmitted through oral-anal sex, or through kissing if the infected person is bleeding. It’s easy to have a minor bleed from a cracked lip, mouth sore or bleeding gums without being aware of it. Statistically, men who have sex with men are more likely than average to be infected with hepatitis A.

Who is most at risk of hepatitis A infection?

You’re more at risk of infection when your local community is more extensively infected. That may be the case if you live in a community with lower levels of sanitation, or if the social groups or places you spend time in are more widely infected. People with weaker immune systems are also more at risk.

Communities more at risk include:

• Lower-income countries and communities with poor sanitation.
• Children living in infected communities.
• People experiencing homelessness.
• People who inject drugs.
• People living with HIV.
• People living with, caring for or having sex with a person who’s infected.

What are the possible complications of hepatitis A infection?

Complications are rare, but people with weakened immune systems are more at risk of having a severe reaction to hepatitis A infection. The most serious risk is acute liver failure. That means that your liver reacts by suddenly shutting down. This requires emergency care, and in some cases, a liver transplant.

People more at risk of acute liver failure include:

• Older adults.
• People with HIV.
• People taking immunosuppressants.
• People with preexisting chronic liver disease.

How is hepatitis A diagnosed?

A healthcare provider will begin by physically examining you and asking about your symptoms. You may or may not have evident physical signs of hepatitis, such as:

• Jaundice.
• Enlarged liver.
• Enlarged spleen.

But they won’t know for sure, or what type of hepatitis it is until they do a blood test. They’ll draw a small sample of your blood and test it for specific substances.

Liver function tests will show elevated liver enzymes and other factors that indicate liver disease. A hepatitis panel will test your blood for specific antibodies. The antibodies they find will tell them which virus you have.

What treatment is available for hepatitis A?

There’s no specific treatment for hepatitis A infection, except to rest and take care of yourself. Healthcare providers recommend that you:

• Stay hydrated. Broths are great for both hydration and nutrition, especially when you’re feeling nauseated. Smoothies are another way to add healthy calories with hydration.
• Stay in bed, at least until your fever and jaundice have subsided. After that, you may return to work or school if it’s been at least one week since your symptoms started.
• Avoid substances that stress your liver. Take a break from alcohol, smoking, drugs and medications if possible. Check with your healthcare provider before taking herbs.
• Keep in touch. They’ll want to check on you periodically to make sure your condition is improving. If you have severe symptoms, they might want to monitor you more closely.

In some cases, your healthcare provider may recommend specific medications to relieve your symptoms or to replace other routine medications. It’s important to only take medications approved by your healthcare provider. Some medications, including herbs and supplements, may harm your liver.

Is there a prophylactic treatment for hepatitis A?

Yes. If you think you may have been exposed to hepatitis A, contact your healthcare provider. You can help prevent the infection from taking hold by getting vaccinated within two weeks of exposure. It takes two-to-three doses to be fully vaccinated, but one dose soon after exposure may prevent infection.

In some cases, healthcare providers also recommend an injection of immune globulin. This is a substance made from human blood that contains antibodies to the virus. They usually suggest it as an alternative to the vaccine if the vaccine is contraindicated (shouldn’t be used) for you based on your preexisting conditions.

Is hepatitis A curable?

Hepatitis A is a self-limited disease. It doesn’t require a cure. Your body will eventually clear the virus without treatment. But this can take a while, and you may feel unwell for some time. Keep in touch with your healthcare provider about your symptoms. They can offer relief and hospital care if necessary.

• Makes cholesterol that your body uses in different ways

• Helps produce certain hormones, protects your cells and is a key ingredient in bile production

• Makes proteins — like clotting factors that manage bleeding and albumin, which manages fluid pressure in your bloodstream

• Helps keep your blood glucose levels steady by storing glycogen (glucose) and releasing it into your bloodstream to keep your blood sugar levels on an even keel

• Breaks down toxins and germs so they safely leave your body in your pee and poop

• Makes cholesterol that your body uses in different ways

• Helps produce certain hormones, protects your cells and is a key ingredient in bile production

• Makes proteins — like clotting factors that manage bleeding and albumin, which manages fluid pressure in your bloodstream

• Helps keep your blood glucose levels steady by storing glycogen (glucose) and releasing it into your bloodstream to keep your blood sugar levels on an even keel

• Breaks down toxins and germs so they safely leave your body in your pee and poop

When do symptoms develop?

Symptoms appear between two to five weeks after contracting the virus. This is the incubation period when the virus is busy replicating in your body. When the virus has replicated enough to register as a threat, your immune system launches an attack against it. This is where the symptoms come from.