Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A (HAV) is spread via fecal-oral route. It is more common in areas where there is poor hygien. The most common risk factors are:

• Travel to Mexico, South America, Africa, Asia
• Contact with people inflicted with HAV
• Food-borne outbreaks
• Daycare center
• Injection drug use

HAV causes injury to liver where human immune system fights against viruses that hide inside liver cells, a.k.a hepatocytes. Fierce battles can result in severe hepatitis which typically presents with jaundice (yellowish discoloration of skin, eyes) and enlarged liver. Your doctors may want to confirm the diagnosis by way of blood tests such as ALT, AST, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and anti-HAV IgM antibody.

The good news is that HAV is a self-limited condition: 85 percent of cases have full recovery within 3 months, and nearly 100 percent have complete recovery by 6 months.

HAV, however, can be fatal in those who have concurrent chronic hepatitis C. These individuals die of fulminant hepatic failure.

Prevention involves handwashing, avoidance of water and foods from endemic areas.

HAV vaccines also are available.