Hepatitis A Symptoms, Causes & Treatment – Complete Guide

Symptoms of Hepatitis A

Symptoms of hepatitis A usually manifest between two and six weeks after infection. However, not all people with hepatitis A develop symptoms. If so, you may have the following symptoms:

• Unusual fatigue and weakness
• Sudden nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Clay- or gray-colored stool
• Loss of appetite
• Low-grade fever
• Dark urine
• Joint pain
• Intense itching
• Yellow skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
• Abdominal pain or discomfort, especially in the upper right (where your liver is)

These symptoms can be mild and disappear within a few weeks. However, hepatitis A can occasionally cause a severe illness that persists for several months.

Causes of Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) that infects liver cells and produces inflammation is the cause of hepatitis A. Inflammation might impair your liver’s function and trigger other symptoms.

The virus spreads through fecal-oral transmission, which occurs when even minute amounts of infected stool get into the mouth of another person. Eating or drinking anything contaminated with such stool may lead to hepatitis A. Close contact with a person who has hepatitis A can also result in infection. The virus can stay on surfaces for several months. The virus is not transmitted through casual touch, sneezing, or coughing.

Hepatitis A Transmission

The following are some of the ways of hepatitis A transmission:

• Consuming food handled by an infected person who does not properly wash their hands after using the toilet
• Drinking water that is contaminated
• Eating food washed in contaminated water
• Consuming raw shellfish from sewage-contaminated water
• Having a close contact with an infected individual, even if they do not exhibit any symptoms
• Engaging in sexual activity with an infected person
• Traveling to areas with poor sanitation or unsafe water
• Touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the mouth

How Long are you Contagious?

You can spread the infection for two weeks before the onset of symptoms and for up to three weeks following their disappearance. However, you might not be aware that you are infected or contagious if you never experience symptoms. The virus can remain on surfaces and in your surroundings for several months after it leaves your body. 

Risk Factors

Key risk factors of hepatitis A include:

• Travel or work in areas where hepatitis A is prevalent
• Living in or traveling to areas with poor sanitation
• Consuming unsafe food or untreated water
• Living with another person who has hepatitis A
• Poor hand hygiene practices
• Men who have sexual contact with other men
• Having any type of sexual contact with someone with hepatitis A
• Being HIV positive
• Homelessness
• Use of any recreational drugs, not just those that are injected
• Working in childcare, a hospital, or a nursing home

Complications

Hepatitis A, unlike other types of viral hepatitis, does not cause long-term liver damage and does not develop into a chronic (persistent) condition.

Rarely, hepatitis A can result in an abrupt (acute) loss of liver function, particularly in older individuals or those with chronic liver conditions. A hospital stay is necessary for the monitoring and treatment of acute (sudden and severe) liver failure. Some patients with acute liver failure may require a liver transplant. 

How is Hepatitis A Diagnosed?

The doctor will first ask you about your symptoms and do a physical examination to diagnose hepatitis A. They may recommend testing based on symptoms such as jaundice, fatigue, and abdominal pain, or after known exposure to the virus. They will search for physical indicators of liver illness, such as jaundice, enlarged liver, and enlarged spleen.

Doctors will also prescribe blood tests to detect specific antibodies that the immune system produces in response to the hepatitis A virus. They may also perform additional blood tests to assess liver function and determine the severity of liver inflammation.

Treatment of Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A does not have a specific antiviral treatment. Management focuses on supporting the body while it clears the infection. 

Treatment for hepatitis A includes:

• Getting plenty of rest to help the body recover
• Drinking enough fluids to prevent dehydration
• Eating a balanced diet as tolerated
• Taking medications to relieve symptoms such as fever, nausea, or pain
• Avoiding alcohol and drugs that can harm the liver
• Monitoring liver function through regular check-ups
• Hospitalization in rare severe cases to manage complications

Prophylactic Treatment for Hepatitis A

The following prophylactic treatments can help prevent hepatitis A:

• Hepatitis A vaccine: The hepatitis A vaccine is highly effective and typically administered in two doses, providing long-term immunity.

• Immune globulin injection: For individuals exposed to hepatitis A or at high risk, doctors may recommend a single dose of immune globulin. It provides short‑term protection by supplying antibodies and may be used alongside or instead of the vaccine, depending on the situation.

These prophylactic treatments are especially crucial for travelers to areas with poor sanitation, close contacts of infected individuals, and people with underlying health conditions that increase their risk of severe infection.

How to prevent hepatitis A?

Preventing hepatitis A focuses on vaccination, hygiene, and safe food and water practices. The following measures, combined with awareness of risk factors, significantly reduce the likelihood of contracting hepatitis A.

• Vaccination: Receiving the hepatitis A vaccine is the most effective way to prevent infection. Two doses provide long-term protection.
• Hand hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and before preparing or eating food.
• Safe food and water: Drink clean, safe water and avoid raw or undercooked foods, particularly when traveling to areas with poor sanitation.
• Avoid contact with infected individuals: Minimize close personal contact with someone diagnosed with hepatitis A.
• Immune globulin: For high-risk individuals or those exposed to the virus, a single dose of immune globulin can provide short-term protection.
• Travel precautions: Follow local health guidelines, drink bottled or boiled water, and avoid street food in areas with poor sanitation.

Key Takeaways

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection that spreads primarily through contaminated food, water, or close contact with an infected person. While most cases are short-term and resolve fully, symptoms like fatigue, nausea, jaundice, and abdominal pain can disrupt daily life. Understanding the causes, risk factors, and modes of transmission helps protect you and those around you. Diagnosis relies on blood tests, and treatment focuses on supportive care, as the infection typically clears on its own. Prevention is highly effective through vaccination, good hygiene, safe food practices, and, when necessary, immune globulin. Staying informed and proactive is the best defense against hepatitis A.

Why Choose Chughtai Lab for Hepatitis A Testing

At Chughtai Lab, we provide accurate and timely hepatitis A testing to help detect and manage the infection. We offer HAV IgM antibody tests to confirm recent or active infection, HAV IgG antibody tests to check for past infection or immunity, and liver function tests (LFTs) to assess liver health. Choosing our lab ensures you receive precise results, professional guidance, and a safe and comfortable testing environment. Our experienced team, advanced equipment, and commitment to quick turnaround times make us a trusted choice for hepatitis A testing and overall liver health monitoring.