Getting to Know the Hepatitis A Virus

Hepatitis A virus is among the several kinds of hepatitis diseases that infects the liver. It is a disease often misdiagnosed and even unnoticed due to the mild or rare appearance of its symptoms. It is usually contracted through contaminated water and food and may be spread through unsterilized household items such as drinking glasses and plates and also sexual contact.

The manifestation of its symptoms vary across ages. Symptoms may not be visible among patients younger than 6 years old while adult patients will experience tiredness among other symptoms. Its symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, rashes, fever, recurring abdominal pain, dark-colored urine, and jaundice, can manifest between 2 to 6 weeks of initial exposure. When extreme vomiting and diarrhea occurs, the patient will experience dehydration, which can lead to weakness and tiredness, confusion and lack of focus, headache, less urination, and intense heartburn.

Symptoms can manifest in infected individuals severely, when they can be painful, or mildly, when they can be painless especially if the infection becomes asymptomatic. About 15% of hepatitis A patients suffer from manifestations of the virus in over 6 to 9 months, while 85% suffer in less than two months.
When symptoms start appearing, even at their slightest hint, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Take a hepatitis test to check if you have contracted the disease.

Be honest with your doctor during your hepatitis test. Provide him with the right background information about how you are feeling, the sanitary status of your surroundings at home, in your neighborhood and workplace, the places you've been to, and medical history of members in your family or your partner.

Your doctor will get a primary diagnosis from the information you have provided. It will be confirmed after the results of the hepatitis test have been delivered. During the hepatitis test, blood will be extracted from you to check on your liver's function. You blood will also be tested for signs of antibodies against HAV. It will also be tested for signs of infection to hepatitis B and C.

If the results of your test turn up positive, your doctor will advise you on treatments for HAV symptoms as there are no specific medicines available to cure it. If you are dehydrated, your doctor will prescribe IV fluid. You will also receive medicines that can control symptoms of extreme nausea and vomiting. He will also advise you on controlling your symptoms while at home. If your symptoms become severe, it is best if you have yourself checked in a hospital for better care until the symptoms disappear.

If you are aware of your exposure to an infected person, you can take immune globulin within two weeks of exposure. It will treat primary immune deficiency and prevent you from becoming infected.

The best way to deal with exposure to any infection is to be aware of your surroundings, the people around you and your body. Among the infection-prevention measures you can do is to keep your surroundings clean; be aware of where your food came from; have your personal utensils especially when traveling; get a HAV vaccine before traveling to other countries; and have a regular check-up with your doctor.

All hepatitis diseases need medical attention.

Hepatitis tests- Head to the nearest clinic or hospital when you notice the slightest change in your body. It could turn out to be a symptom to a hepatitis infection.