Typical symptoms of Hepatitis A:
The symptoms of Hepatitis A usually will not appear until a few weeks after you’ve had the virus. Not all cases will develop symptoms. If you do have symptoms, these may include:
- Joint pain
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Pain or discomfort in the lower ribs
- Pale or greyish bowel movements
- Loss or decrease of appetite
- Fever
- Dark urine
- Jaundice (yellow colour on the skin and around the eyes)
Causes
FAQ
Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B are caused by different viruses. They have similar symptoms, but are transmitted in different ways, and have different effects on the liver. Both Hepatitis A and B can be prevented with vaccinations. Hepatitis A does not become chronic, and usually improves without treatment. Hepatitis B can become chronic and lead to long-term liver problems.
Those most at risk are those who live with an infected person, those who have sexual intercourse with an infected person, people who work closely with animals, intravenous drug users, and travelers or residents of areas that have a high incidence of Hep A.
Come to see a doctor as soon as you can after being exposed. An injection of the Hep A vaccine, or of immunoglobulin, may reduce your risk of contracting the disease.
