Which microbe causes Hepatitis A?

• This is a liver disease caused by Hepatitis A virus. Remember that at least two other viruses, Hepatitis B and C also cause liver disease and will be addressed elsewhere. These are all contagious diseases.

 

How is the Hepatitis A virus transmitted?

• Hepatitis A can be transmitted from feces to the mouth. This happens under the following conditions.

  • through eating food or drinking water contaminated with sewage, anything withhuman feces on it that comes in contact with your mouth.

  • Hepatitis A can also spread through direct contact with the feces of an infected person, which can happen during sexual activities.

  • Hepatitis A can be transmitted via close contact with an infected person.

 

What are the symptoms of acute Hepatitis A?

     -The symptoms may appear within 28 days but can range from 15 to 50 days after you are infected and include:

• Fever

• Feeling tired

• Stomach pain

• Nausea and vomiting.

• Loss of appetite

• Joint pain

• Dark urine

• Jaundice (Yellowing of the whites of the eyes and the skin, 

  Note. Jaundice of the skin is difficult to see if you a have a dark skin

 

What are the symptoms of severe chronic Hepatitis A?

• There is no chronic hepatitis A disease

 

Are there treatments for Hepatitis A?

• No, consult your physician to find out what you can do to alleviate the symptoms. 

 

How to prevent Hepatitis A?

• Hepatitis A vaccines are available. Consult your physician for advice.

 

Some of this information comes from the US CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/resources/professionals/pdfs/abctable.pdf