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Hepatitis A

Explore this section to learn more about hepatitis A, including a description of the disease and how it's diagnosed.

Why is the liver important?

The liver is the second largest organ in your body and is located under your rib cage on the right side. It weighs about three pounds and is shaped like a football that is flat on one side.

The liver performs many jobs in your body. It processes what you eat and drink into energy and nutrients your body can use. The liver also removes harmful substances from your blood.

What is hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV causes the liver to swell and prevents it from working well.

HAV usually goes away on its own in almost all cases with no serious complications. However, HAV may cause some patients to suffer liver failure. In the United States, there are about 100 deaths a year due to HAV. Those at risk of serious long term effects from HAV include people with other liver diseases and people over 60.

Who is at risk of having hepatitis A?

Anyone who has come in close contact with someone who has HAV or who has eaten food or drank water polluted by HAV is at risk.

• Have ever lived with an infected person
• Have ever been a sexual partner of an infected person
• Are a man who has sex with men
• Have ever used drugs
• Have ever traveled to countries where HAV is common

HAV is most commonly spread by:

• Not washing hands before preparing or eating food
• Not washing hands after using the bathroom or changing a diaper
• Eating raw or undercooked shellfish that came from waters polluted by sewage

What are symptoms of hepatitis A?

Low energy is the most common symptom of HAV. Other symptoms include fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, headache, itchy skin, muscle soreness, pain near the liver, and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes).

Symptoms of HAV can occur two to seven weeks after infection and are often mild. Children may not have any symptoms. Symptoms usually go away within two months. If you think you have HAV, it is important to see a doctor -- symptoms of HAV are similar to other more serious liver diseases.

How is hepatitis A diagnosed?

Hepatitis A is diagnosed by a blood test.

A blood test is done to see if HAV antibodies are in the body. Antibodies are proteins created by the immune system in response to viruses.

How is hepatitis A treated?

HAV usually goes away on its own within six months.

Doctors often recommend bed rest, drinking lots of fluids, eating a healthy diet and avoiding alcohol. Medicines are not used to treat HAV. Talk to your doctor before taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs, vitamins or herbal supplements.

Itchy skin caused by HAV can be treated with non-prescription anti-itch medicine.

It is important to see your doctor regularly to make sure your body has fully recovered from the virus. Also, talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated for hepatitis B.

What is the best way to stop the spread of hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A vaccination is the best way to prevent hepatitis A. The hepatitis A vaccine is given in 2 doses, usually about 6 months apart.

Other ways to stop the spread of HAV are:

• Always washing your hands with soap and warm water immediately after using the bathroom or changing a diaper
• Always washing your hands with soap and warm water before preparing or eating food

Who should be vaccinated against hepatitis A?

Those who should get vaccinated against HAV include:

• All children at age 1
• All children above age 1 who live in areas where HAV is common
• People with long-term liver disease
• People with blood-clotting disorders
• People who have had or are waiting for a liver transplant
• People who use drugs
• Men who have sex with men
• Travelers to countries where HAV is common
• Sexual partners and household members of people with HAV
  

If you think you have come in contact with HAV, your doctor may give you a HAV vaccination or a shot of immune globulin, which can help increase protection to HAV.

Page updated: October 4th, 2011

© Copyright 2013 American Liver Foundation. All Rights Reserved. The American Liver Foundation is a member of the World Hepatitis Alliance.