Hepatitis A Treatment

How is Hepatitis A Treated?

 

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Testing for Hepatitis A is usually done with a blood test to look for elevated IgM & IgG antibodies as well as raised levels of liver enzymes. A physical examination may also occur to see if if the liver is enlarged or tender (PubMed Health, 2012). Once a diagnosis is established the patient is recommended to rest. Due to the viral nature of the infection, there is no specific treatment (PubMed Health, 2012). Hospitalization may be necessary if the symptoms are severe or the patient becomes too dehydrated (CDC, 2012). Once the initial infection has passed the virus will not stay in the human body for long. The majority of all people recover completely within 3-6 months. During the recovery phase it is best if no alcohol is consumed or any other substances that are toxic to the liver such as substances high in acetaminophen like Tylenol. Fatty foods should also be avoided, especially in the acute phase (PubMed Health, 2012).


Written March 1, 2012 | Updated April 28, 2015
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Article References

CDC. (2012). Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Vaccine-Preventable STDs. Retrieved 03 21, 2012, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2010/vaccine.htm#a1

CDC. (2012). Vaccine Information Sheet: Heptatitis A Vaccine. Retrieved 03 21, 2012, from Center for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-hep-a.pdf

Health Canada. (2012). Hepatitis. Retrieved 03 21, 2012, from Health Canada: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hc-ps/dc-ma/hep-eng.php

Health Canada. (2012). Hepatitis A. Retrieved 03 21, 2012, from Public Health Agency of Canada: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/info/hepa-eng.php

Ontario Ministry of Health. (2012). Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. Retrieved 03 21, 2012, from DISEASES : Hepatitis A: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/disease/hepatitisa.html

PubMed Health. (2012). PubMed Health. Retrieved 03 21, 2012, from Hepatitis A: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001323/

Image References

Someone else's art deserves recognition! The images presented in this article were borrowed from the following places:

Header Image: https://edc2.healthtap.com/ht-staging/user_answer/reference_image/10114/large/Hepatitis_A_vaccine.jpeg?1386670920 | Retrieved May 1, 2015

Image 1: http://thehepatitisblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/hepatitis-a.jpg | Retrieved May 1, 2015

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