Hepatitis A
Hepatitis Viruses
There are 3 variants of the Hepatitis Virus A, B + C
Hepatitis means 'Liver Inflammation' and it is caused by the Hepatitis virus. There are many types of hepatitis and each virus acts differently, producing different reactions, side effects and treatments.
Hepatitis is very common world-wide and is very infectious
A simple blood test can be carried out to confirm the presence of the hepatitis virus, at either your GP surgery or your local STI clinic.
Hepatitis A
An easily spread disease of the liver.
You can become infected with Hepatitis A simply through the eating and drinking of contaminated food or water. In close family environments and heavily populated areas with close contact the disease spreads easily.
Hepatitis A can be passed via sexual activity or oral contact with a small amount of the virus. It is therefore extremely important that hands are washed before and after eating, drinking and going to the toilet as the virus can also be found in feces.
Hepatitis A does not always show symptoms, however, it can still be passed on by anyone that is infected
Currently there is no specific treatment for Hepatitis A, however you can get a vaccination to protect yourself from the Hepatitis A virus from your local doctor, this will generally protect you for a 12 month period and with regular boosters you can achieve protection for up to 10 years. If you are infected it will normally run it's course within 2-8 weeks, obviously every case is different and some people can be ill for up to 6 months.
Symptoms of Hepatitis A can include the following:
- Flu-like symptoms
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Abdominal pain
- Itchy skin
- Jaundice (yellow discoloration of the skin and the eyes)
Hepatitis A is not generally a serious long-term health problem, and most patients make a full recovery from it, long term damage to your liver is rare however there is a small chance that it will result.
Once you have had hepatitis A you can not be a blood donor.