Hepatitis A is a virus that causes inflammation in the liver. Hepatitis A can cause acute symptoms but rarely results in severe or chronic liver disease. It is the least serious of the hepatitis viruses.
What Are the Symptoms of Hepatitis A?
What Are the Symptoms of Hepatitis A?
The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is found in the blood and stool of an infected person. It can be passed from person to person, usually through contact with fecal matter or contaminated food or water. Poor hygiene is often the cause of contamination. The virus may also be contracted from eating raw or undercooked shellfish from polluted waters.
The symptoms of hepatitis A include:
- Dark urine
- Fatigue
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
- Itching
- Loss of appetite
- Low-grade fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pale or clay-colored stools
How Is Hepatitis A Diagnosed?
How Is Hepatitis A Diagnosed?
If your child experiences any of the symptoms of hepatitis A, a pediatric gastroenterologist can perform the following exams and tests to make a diagnosis:
- Physical exam. A pediatric specialist may find an enlarged liver or spleen while examining your child’s body.
- Blood tests. Many blood tests are used to check for the different forms of hepatitis. Types of blood tests include:
- Hepatitis A antibody. A hepatitis A antibody blood test shows if the hepatitis A virus was or is present in the body.
- Liver enzyme. A liver enzyme blood test shows elevated levels of alanine transaminase (AST) and aspartate transaminase (ALT) liver enzymes in patients with a liver condition.
- Prothrombin time. A prothrombin time blood test measures the time it takes for plasma (liquid portion of blood) to clot and shows if the liver is working well.
Other tests used to make a hepatitis A diagnosis include:
- A type of nuclear medicine test called a hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan
- Liver biopsy
- Ultrasound
What Is the Treatment for Hepatitis A?
What Is the Treatment for Hepatitis A?
Most children with hepatitis A will improve naturally without treatment within one to two weeks of initial contact with the virus. Rest is recommended during the acute phase of the virus when symptoms are most severe.
Key Points to Remember
Key Points to Remember
- Hepatitis A is a condition of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus.
- The hepatitis A virus can be passed through direct contact with an infected person or through contaminated food or water.
- Hepatitis A is the least serious of the hepatitis viruses and does not develop into chronic hepatitis.
- There is no specific treatment, but most children recover within two weeks of contracting the virus.
Support Services & Resources
Support Services & Resources
Riley at IU Health offers a broad range of supportive services to make life better for families who choose us for their children's care.
The Riley at IU Health Liver Support Group meets one or two times a year for a family-oriented education program and socializing. Topics include testing for liver disease, complications of liver disease, impact of chronic disease on the family, liver transplant, nutrition for liver disease and medicine for liver disease. Please call 317.944.3774 for meeting dates and times.
This website includes information and resources for families of children with hepatitis A.
This website from the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition provides information for patients and families living with hepatitis A.
This National Institutes of Health website offers information and resources about hepatitis A, including research and clinical trials.
Locations
Locations
Locations
In addition to our primary hospital location at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis, IN, we have convenient locations to better serve our communities throughout the state.
Riley Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
575 Riley Hospital Dr
Indianapolis, IN 46202