Hepatitis A can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Interestingly, according to the website Family Doctor, young children who develop hepatitis A typically have mild cases with few symptoms while older children and adults generally exhibit more severe symptoms. While diet plays an interesting role in how you might catch hepatitis A, good hand washing techniques may help you avoid this contagious virus.
Identification
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that affects its ability to break down and dispose of waste products in your blood, such as bilirubin. Elevated bilirubin and other wastes in your bloodstream can lead to dark-colored urine, itching, fever, body aches and yellowing of the skin, also called jaundice -- or no symptoms at all.
Causes
Chronic, excessive alcohol consumption, some medications, an injury to the liver and certain viruses can cause hepatitis. Hepatitis viruses are classified into types, including hepatitis A. The hepatitis A virus is highly contagious and typically spreads through contact with infected fecal matter, according to MayoClinic.com. Most often, people contract hepatitis A after eating food handled by an infected person who has not washed his hands appropriately after using the restroom. Drinking water contaminated with the virus and raw shellfish from water contaminated with sewage also spread the virus. Close contact, such as having sex with an infected person or changing the diapers of an infected infant might expose you to the virus as well.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A since your body will ordinarily clear the infection from your system within a few days to weeks, says the website FamilyDoctor.org. They do recommend plenty of rest and a healthy, balanced diet that includes plenty of fluids during the recovery phase. To help protect your liver as it heals, they also suggest you avoid consuming alcohol and pain medications with acetaminophen since both can affect liver function. Because nausea associated with hepatitis A can make it difficult to eat, MayoClinic.com recommends eating small meals throughout the day and trying soups, broth, toast and yogurt rather than large or heavy meals.
Considerations
In most cases, Hepatitis A is usually most contagious before symptoms even start and then for two weeks after the illness begins. Children and adults with weakened immune systems may remain contagious for as long as six months, according to FamilyDoctor.org. A blood test can determine if you have hepatitis A. Since some people never experience symptoms, FamilyDoctor.org recommends you ask your physician to do a blood test if you think you've been exposed. There is a vaccine available for people at high risk for contracting hepatitis A, such as those traveling to countries with less than adequate water filtration.
Warning
Hepatitis A usually resolves on its own without doing any lasting damage to the liver. However, in rare cases, it can cause liver failure, according to MayoClinic.com, especially in older adults or people who have chronic liver problems, such as cirrhosis. Seek medical attention if you develop severe or sudden pain, mental confusion or signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth, muscle cramps or lethargy.
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