General Information About Hepatitis A
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a highly contagious viral liver infection that settles in liver cells, causing the organ to swell and become inflamed.
It is not transmitted through blood or sexually, but by drinking water contaminated with an infected person's feces or by eating raw food prepared by someone who did not wash their hands after using the toilet (fecal-oral route).
About 2-4 weeks after the virus enters the body, symptoms appear, including a sudden high fever, severe loss of appetite, nausea, pain in the upper right abdomen, darkening of urine color (tea-colored), and yellowing of the whites of the eyes (jaundice).
No. Unlike Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, the Hepatitis A virus does not become permanent (chronic) in the body. Once the disease is overcome, the virus is completely cleared and does not cause long-term damage like cirrhosis or cancer.
A definitive diagnosis is made based on the patient's complaints and symptoms of jaundice through blood tests showing extremely high liver enzymes (ALT, AST) and the detection of Anti-HAV IgM antibodies in the blood.
There is no specific drug to directly kill the virus. During the severe phase of the illness, bed rest, a fat-free diet that does not strain the liver, and plenty of fluids are recommended. The most effective way to prevent the disease is the Hepatitis A vaccine, administered in two doses.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
