In rare cases, hepatitis A can cause liver failure and even death ; this is more common in older people and in people with other serious health issues, such as chronic liver disease.
What does hepatitis A do to your liver?
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.
Does hepatitis A cause cirrhosis of the liver?
In rare cases, hepatitis A can be severe and lead to liver failure and the need for an emergency liver transplant to survive. Hepatitis A does not lead to long-term complications , such as cirrhosis, because the infection only lasts a short time.
Can your liver recover from hepatitis A?
This form of hepatitis does not lead to a chronic infection and usually has no complications. The liver usually heals from hepatitis A within several months . However, occasional deaths from hepatitis A have occurred due to liver failure, and some people have required a liver transplant for acute hepatitis A infection.
Is hepatitis A considered a liver disease?
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious, short-term liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus
Is hepatitis A STD?
Hepatitis A is a virus found in human faeces (poo). It's normally passed on when a person eats or drinks contaminated food and water. It's also a sexually transmitted infection (STI) passed on through unprotected sexual activities, particularly anal sex.
What happens if you test positive for hepatitis A?
These show up after the virus has been in your body for a while. You may have them all your life. They protect you against hepatitis A. If you test positive for them but not for IgM antibodies, it means you had a hepatitis A infection in the past or had vaccinations to protect against it .
Does hepatitis A ever go away?
No specific medicines are used to treat hepatitis A. The infection will go away on its own , usually within a few weeks or months. In rare cases, HAV can cause liver failure. If that happens, the person will need a liver transplant.
What damage does hepatitis A do to the body?
Unlike other types of viral hepatitis, hepatitis A does not cause long-term liver damage , and it doesn't become chronic. In rare cases, hepatitis A can cause a sudden loss of liver function, especially in older adults or people with chronic liver diseases.
How do you know hepatitis A is cured?
There's currently no cure for hepatitis A , but it normally gets better on its own within a couple of months. You can usually look after yourself at home. But it's still a good idea to see your GP for a blood test if you think you could have hepatitis A, as more serious conditions can have similar symptoms.
How long does hepatitis A last?
When symptoms occur, how long do they last? Symptoms of hepatitis A usually last less than 2 months , although 10%–15% of symptomatic persons have prolonged or relapsing disease for up to 6 months (9–13).
How long is hepatitis A contagious?
You are most contagious soon after you are infected. Adults who are otherwise healthy are no longer contagious two weeks after the illness begins. Children and people with weak immune systems may be contagious for up to six months.
Can you get Hep A from kissing?
Is it possible to catch hepatitis from kissing? Catching hepatitis by kissing an infected person is unlikely — although deep kissing that involves the exchange of large amounts of saliva might result in HBV, especially if there are cuts or abrasions in the mouth of the infected person.
Can I catch hepatitis A from my husband?
Viral hepatitis from hepatitis A, B, and C can be transmitted from person to person through sexual contact . Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are considered by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), so practicing safe sex is essential.
Can you get hepatitis A from giving oral?
Hepatitis A is transmitted primarily through oral contact with feces (oral-fecal contact). This includes contaminated food or water sources and sexual contact, especially oral-anal sex.
