Hepatitis A

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Digestive system

Fly

Hepatitis A

Erythema multiforme, circular lesions - hands

Digestive system organs

Hepatitis A

Alternative Names:

Viral hepatitis
Treatment:

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

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

Expectations (prognosis):

text continues below

Over 85% of people with hepatitis A recover within 3 months, and over 99% of people recover by 6 months.

The fatality rate is estimated at 0.1%, usually among the elderly and patients with chronic liver disease.

Hepatitis A infection does not become a chronic.

Complications:

There are usually no complications. One in a thousand cases become fulminant hepatitis, which can be life threatening.

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms indicate you may have hepatitis A.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).