What Are The Stages Of Hepatitis A? - Fixanswer

Hepatitis A can be spread from close, personal contact with an infected person, such as through certain types of sexual contact (like oral-anal sex), caring for someone who is ill, or using drugs with others. Hepatitis A is

very contagious

, and people can even spread the virus before they feel sick.

What are the phases of hepatitis?

The entire illness of acute hepatitis B sequentially passes through three phases, namely

prodromal phase, icteric phase and convalescence phase

. The prodromal phase is characterized by MARKED LOSS OF APPETITE, and other flu‐like symptoms such as low‐grade fever, nausea and vomiting, and lasts for a few days.

What happens in the acute phase of hepatitis A?

Prodromal symptoms of acute hepatitis include

malaise, fatigue, anorexia, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea

and, at a later stage and less commonly, fever, headaches, arthralgia, and myalgia
⁵³
(Table 29-2).

What is the fastest way to cure hepatitis A?

No specific treatment exists for hepatitis A

. Your body will clear the hepatitis A virus on its own. In most cases of hepatitis A, the liver heals within six months with no lasting damage.

Can I go to work with hepatitis A?

In general, people infected with hepatitis A

may return to work or school when they no longer have symptoms

, but they must be sure to carefully wash their hands after using the bathroom.

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).

What happens if you get hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a viral infection that causes

liver inflammation and damage

. Inflammation is swelling that occurs when tissues of the body become injured or infected. Inflammation can damage organs. Viruses invade normal cells in your body.

Does Hep A 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.

Is hepatitis A Curable?

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.

What food is commonly linked to hepatitis A?

Although foodborne illnesses caused by hepatitis A are not common in the U.S., water, shellfish,

frozen vegetables and fruit (berries)

, and salads are most frequently cited as potential foodborne sources.

What is the incubation period for hepatitis A?

The incubation period of hepatitis A is

approximately 28 days

(range 15 to 50 days). The clinical course of hepatitis A is indistinguishable from that of other types of acute viral hepatitis. The illness typically has an abrupt onset of fever, malaise, anorexia, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, and jaundice.

Can hepatitis A spread through saliva?

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is

shed in feces but also in saliva

. HAV RNA was detected in saliva in five out of six acutely infected patients with HAV viremia.

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

.

Is hepatitis A permanent?

Almost everyone recovers fully from hepatitis A with a lifelong immunity

. However, a very small proportion of people infected with hepatitis A could die from fulminant hepatitis.

What foods to avoid if you have hepatitis A?

You can also get infected with hepatitis A by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Contaminated food and water are more common in developing countries. When traveling in areas where hepatitis A is common, avoid eating

raw fruits and vegetables, shellfish, ice, and untreated water

.