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Hepatitis
Overview:
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. Although not usually as serious as other types of viral hepatitis, hepatitis A causes inflammation that affects your liver's ability to function.
You're most likely to contract hepatitis A from contaminated food or water or from close contact with someone who's already infected — even if that person doesn't appear sick. Some people who are infected never develop signs and symptoms, but others may feel as if they have a severe case of the flu.
Signs and Symptoms:
Some people may have hepatitis A and never develop signs or symptoms. Young children, especially, tend to have mild cases, but signs and symptoms in older children and adults are likely to be more severe. In general, you'll have the virus for up to one month — its average incubation period — before developing any problems. When signs and symptoms appear, they often come on suddenly, and you may mistake them for intestinal flu (gastroenteritis). They include:
* Fatigue
* Nausea and vomiting
* Abdominal pain or discomfort, especially in the area of your liver on your right side beneath your lower ribs
* Loss of appetite
* Low-grade fever
* Dark urine
* Muscle pain
* Itching
Causes and Organs Affected:
Your liver is primarily located on the right side of your abdomen, just beneath your lower ribs. It performs many functions, including processing most of the nutrients absorbed from your intestines, removing drugs, alcohol and other harmful substances from your bloodstream, and manufacturing bile — the greenish fluid stored in your gallbladder that helps digest fats. Your liver also produces cholesterol, blood-clotting factors and certain other proteins.
Risk Factor:
You're at increased risk of hepatitis A if you:
* Travel or work in regions with high rates of hepatitis A.
* Are a sexually active gay or bisexual man.
* Use injected or noninjected illicit drugs.
* Work in a research setting where you may be exposed to the virus.
* Have hemophilia or receive clotting-factor concentrates for another medical condition. In rare cases, hepatitis A may be transmitted through blood transfusions.
Treatment:
No specific treatment exists for hepatitis A. Instead, the main focus is on making sure you get adequate nutrition and avoid any permanent liver damage. If you're nauseated, eating small snacks throughout the day instead of three large meals may help. Soft, easily digested foods, such as soup or broth, yogurt and toast, may be the most appealing. You may also find you can tolerate food better in the morning than later in the day.
Other Information:
Hepatitis A is highly contagious. Preventing the spread of the virus involves protecting both yourself and others from infection.
Protecting yourself
The following measures can help protect you from hepatitis A infection: Receive immune globulin or a hepatitis vaccine, Follow safety precautions for international travelers and Practice good hygiene.