Dr. M.J. Bazos, MD
Patient Handout
HEPATITIS
A
About Your
Diagnosis
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. There
are at least five virus types that cause the disease. One of the types of
viruses is the A virus. Hepatitis A infects about 150,000 individuals in the
United States each year. The rate is much higher in underdeveloped countries.
The hepatitis A virus is usually transmitted by food or fecal contaminated
water. Contaminated shellfish are a common source of infection. Outbreaks have
been reported in day-care centers, the military, at institutions for the
disabled, and because of infected restaurant workers. Transmission can also
occur through direct contact with an infected individual. In more than 40% of
the reported cases, it is not known how the individuals were infected. Hepatitis
A is detected by a blood test that is positive for the antibody to the virus.
The antibody appears about 4 weeks after the infection. Liver function tests are
abnormally elevated, often to very high levels. The vast majority of individuals
who get hepatitis A recover within 6 months and do not have any serious health
problems.
Living With Your
Diagnosis
Not all individuals who have
hepatitis A infection will have symptoms. This is particularly true if the
patient is younger than 2 years. If a patient does have symptoms, they will
normally appear during the first 4 weeks of infection. One of the main symptoms
of hepatitis A is jaundice, a yellow color to the skin or whites of the eyes.
The jaundice is caused by the excess bilirubin in the blood. The excess
bilirubin can also lead to other symptoms such as pale or clay-colored stools,
dark urine, and generalized itching. “Flulike” symptoms of fatigue,
loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and low-grade fever, as well as pain in
the liver area, may occur several days before the jaundice appears. A very small
percentage of individuals infected with hepatitis A are at risk for liver
failure. This group includes those individuals with alcoholic hepatitis,
chronic hepatitis with cirrhosis, and those individuals older than 60 years.
These patients may improve in their symptoms and liver function tests only to
have a relapse. This usually occurs after 4 weeks and can occur more than once.
There is no way to predict who will sustain a relapse. It is rare for hepatitis
A–infected pregnant women or their newborns to have serious
complications.
Treatment
There
is no specific treatment for hepatitis A. Most individuals can be cared for at
home. Proper amounts of rest for 1–4 weeks after the diagnosis is made is
important. During this time, intimate contact with other individuals should be
avoided. The diet should include foods that are high in protein. Individuals who
have come into contact with the patient should be given temporary immunization
with immune serum globulin. This must be given within 2 weeks of
exposure.
The
DOs
• Bed rest may be necessary
until the jaundice disappears and appetite
returns.
• Eating a well-balanced
diet with plenty of fluids is
essential.
• Make sure you properly
wash your hands if you have hepatitis or are caring for someone with the
disease. This is particularly important after contact with fecal
material.
• An individual with
hepatitis A should use separate or disposable eating and drinking
utensils.
• If you have multiple
sexual partners, a latex condom should be used. It may prevent transmission of
the virus.
• If exposed to blood,
fecal material, and other body fluids on the job, use proper protective
equipment such as gloves and eye protection to lessen the chance of accidental
exposure.
• Day-care workers should
use proper hand-washing techniques after changing a diaper and before doing
anything else.
• Restaurant workers
should use proper handwashing techniques at all
times.
• If traveling to areas that
have a high incidence of hepatitis A, a vaccine is
available.
The
DON’Ts
• Avoid any
substances that may be harmful to the liver. The avoidance of alcohol is
key.
• Eating fatty foods may not be
well tolerated in individuals with hepatitis
A
• If you are an intravenous drug
addict, do not share needles and other equipment because they can be
contaminated with the hepatitis A
virus.
When to Call Your
Doctor
• If you have been exposed
to someone who has hepatitis A or if you have symptoms of the
disease.
• Call if hepatitis A
symptoms do not resolve within 4 weeks.