Inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus.
It is transmitted because the virus eliminated in the feces of an infected person reaches the digestive tract of a healthy person (fecal-oral transmission). It can be by direct person-to-person contact, or by ingestion of contaminated liquids or food.
After an incubation period of approximately one month, nausea, vomiting, malaise, fever, abdominal pain and lack of appetite appear. It is followed by darkening of the urine (choluria), pale stools (acholia) and yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes (jaundice). It may be accompanied by itching of the skin, rash and joint pain.
Diagnosis is clinical, by interrogation, physical examination and detection of antibodies in the blood against hepatitis A virus.
Symptoms should be treated with analgesics, antipyretics and ensuring proper hydration. It is advisable to enhance hygiene measures to prevent infection.
- Michelle Lai, MD, MPH. Sanjiv Chopra, MD, MACP. Hepatitis A virus infection in adults: An overview. UpToDate, Oct 17, 2016.
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