Hepatitis A

The virus that causes hepatitis A, also known as Hepatitis A or HAV, targets the liver. By consuming or drinking food or water that has been tainted by an infected person's feces, the virus is disseminated. It occurs more often in areas with a shortage of clean water, poor hygienic conditions, and sanitation. However, it may also spread by sharing needles and unprotected intercourse. 

Hepatitis A often has no lasting effects and goes away on its own in 10 to 14 days. It's vital to be tested since hepatitis A shares many symptoms with more severe hepatitis infections, such hepatitis B or C. 


How does hepatitis A spread?

To infect someone, the hepatitis A virus must travel from human feces into the mouth. To get an infection, you simply need to come into touch with a little quantity of feces. 

Most often, hepatitis A is transmitted by: 

consuming food prepared by a virus-carrying person whose hands have not been thoroughly cleansed 

consuming contaminated water, even ice cubes 

eating seafood from polluted water that is uncooked or undercooked 

utilizing infected equipment to inject medications 

being in close proximity to a hepatitis A patient 

without wearing a condom or dental dam while having intercourse with a person who is infected.

Anal intercourse increases your risk of contracting hepatitis A, especially if you contact the anus (bottom) with your fingers, lips, or tongue. The virus may also be transferred by touching used condoms, sex toys, and douching supplies that have been in another person's anus. 


How is hepatitis A prevented?

Regular hand washing, especially after using the restroom and before preparing or eating food, may help reduce the spread of the infection. 

You should boil tap water if it is unsafe before drinking it or using it to wash your teeth. All fresh produce should be peeled and washed before eating, and undercooked or raw meat and fish should be avoided. 

Sharing infected needles and syringes when injecting recreational drugs increases the risk of spreading hepatitis A, thus it's crucial to use fresh supplies each time. 

Use a fresh external (or male) or internal (or female) condom or dental dam each time you engage in vaginal, anal, or oral sex to practice safer sex. Wash your hands after touching someone's anus, handling used condoms, or using sex toys, and wrap sex toys with a fresh condom before using them. 

Hepatitis A cannot be prevented by pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), the pill, or any other form of contraception save condoms. 

It is advised to get the hepatitis A vaccination (if available) if you are in close contact with someone who has hepatitis A or are in a high-risk category.  


What signs or symptoms does hepatitis A have?

Many hepatitis A patients don't exhibit any symptoms. If symptoms do appear, they typically do so two to seven weeks following the infection. Although some individuals might feel sick for up to six months, these symptoms often go away after two months. 

If symptoms appear, they may consist of: 

flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue, fever, and aches and pains 

reduced appetite 

Having a sick feeling 

diarrhoea 

discomfort in the upper right portion of your abdomen 

Dark feces (poop) with light pee 

Jaundice causes yellowing of the skin and eyes. 

rough skin. 

Even if you are symptom-free or up to two weeks before symptoms start to manifest, you may still transfer the illness.  


How can I do a hepatitis A test?

You should see a healthcare provider if you suspect you may have hepatitis A, have come into touch with someone who has, or if you have any symptoms. Even if you are symptom-free, you may still undergo a test.  

If you have the virus, a quick blood test will reveal it. If you test positive, they could also do an additional blood test to see how well your liver is functioning. Other STIs should also be screened for in you. 

It's crucial that you inform anybody you live with, are in close touch with, and have recently had sex with so they may be tested as well.  

The way that hepatitis A is handled.

Hepatitis A is now incurable. Typically, your healthcare provider will advise rest, a healthy diet, and lots of water. Itching, nausea, and vomiting remedies, as well as painkillers, may be suggested. The majority of individuals will totally recover in one to two months. 

Until a medical practitioner notifies you that you are no longer contagious, do not prepare meals for others or engage in sexual activity, whether or not you have symptoms. 

After hepatitis A treatment, you become immune, which means you can never get it again. But other hepatitis kinds are still a possibility.