Hepatitis is a condition characterized by an inflammation of the liver. This inflammation could occur due to an injury or an infection. The inflammation can also be caused due to liver damage by excessive alcohol, poisons, chemicals and medications.
Hepatitis A infection is caused by a virus known as the hepatitis A virus or HAV. Unlike other hepatitis infections, hepatitis A is not chronic. It can be completely treated, without causing any long term damage. The body is able to make enough antibodies against the HAV that once you have it, it is highly unlikely that you will suffer from it again.
The hepatitis virus usually occurs in outbreaks. The virus is found in the feces of those who are suffering from the disease. Poor hygienic and unsanitary conditions can cause contamination of food or water sources and the virus spreads quickly, causing an epidemic. Fecal-oral transmissions are the most common transmission mode.
Seafood, especially shellfish obtained from water which has been contaminated by sewage, may cause hepatitis A infection. Therefore, shellfish should never be consumed raw or undercooked. Though extremely rare, the infection could also be transmitted through a blood transfusion. The infection is also spread sexually.
Most of the people who come in contact with the HAV do not develop the infection. Many, who develop the infection, may not have any visible symptoms of it. The symptoms usually begin to appear in the second week of the infection and may continue up to the sixth week. If the infection is mild, it may go away on its own and the symptoms will cease to appear. However some of the noticeable symptoms of the infection are repeated vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, rashes, loss of appetite, jaundice, localized pain near the liver, fatigue, low grade fever, and change in color of urine. Due to the vomiting and diarrhea, there are also high chances of getting dehydrated.
The symptoms never last for more than two months. In rare cases, the symptoms may even last as long as nine months. Symptoms may come and go periodically, till the infection is completely cured.
If the nausea and vomiting continue for more than two days, a doctor’s guidance should be sought. Your doctor will ask you to get your blood tested in order to find out about the functioning of your liver. Your blood will also be tested for traces of hepatitis B and C. After going through the tests, the doctor will make a diagnosis and recommend the necessary actions to be taken.