hepatitus A

hepatitus A

Symptoms

Symptoms will usually show up 2 - 6 weeks after being exposed to the hepatitis A virus. They are usually mild, but may last for up to several months, especially in adults.

Symptoms include:

• Dark urine
• Fatigue
• Itching
• Loss of appetite
• Low-grade fever
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pale or clay-colored stools
• Yellow skin (jaundice)

Signs and tests

The doctor will perform a physical examination and may discover that you have an enlarged and tender liver.

Blood tests may show:

• Raised IgM and IgG antibodies to hepatitis A (IgM is usually positive before IgG)
• Elevated liver enzymes (liver function tests), especially transaminase enzyme levels

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A. Rest is recommended when the symptoms are most severe. People with acute hepatitis should avoid alcohol and any substances that are toxic to the liver, including acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Fatty foods may cause vomiting, because substances from the liver are needed to digest fats. Fatty foods are best avoided during the acute phase.