Understanding Hepatitis A – Causes, Symptoms, Prevention

Dr Charles Panackel

Have you ever gotten sick after traveling to a new place? It might not have been just the unfamiliar food. Hepatitis A, a highly contagious viral disease, can spread easily through contaminated water and food. Unsafe water and food can put you at risk leading to inflammation of the liver and can cause mild to severe illness.
There are 5 types of Hepatitis virus ranging from type A to E. unlike Hepatitis B and C Hepatitis A does not lead to chronic liver disease. The good news is, while highly contagious it is a preventable infection. Majority of people who gets infected with Hepatitis A makes a full recovery within 6-8 weeks and develops a lifelong immunity. Hepatitis A & E virus primarily spread through food and water contaminated with faecal matters.

Causes of Hepatitis A
Contaminated water: Hepatitis A virus can survive in sewage-contaminated or inadequately treated water for extended periods. Drinking contaminated water can directly infect a person.
Contaminated food: Fruits, vegetables, or shellfish washed with contaminated water can become carriers of the virus.
Direct contact with an infected person.
Poor hand hygiene

Symptoms of Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A infection can range from mild to severe, and some people, especially young children, may not experience any symptoms at all. However, symptoms, typically appear within 2 to 6 weeks after exposure to the virus.  This is known as the incubation period (2-6 weeks) during which it replicates throughout the body. Most people recover within 2 months while some people may experience it up to 6 months. In some cases, the symptoms will be gone only to appear again (relapse).
The severity of symptoms can vary depending on individual factors like age and overall health. The common symptoms include;

• Fever
• Diarrhoea
• Dark urine or dark coloured stool
• Loss of appetite
• Yellow skin or eyes(jaundice).
• Itching

It is important to keep in mind that not everyone will develop symptoms. One in hundred infected person can have very severe hepatitis leading to liver failure and death or liver transplantation.

Treatment
There are currently no medications available, however the body can fight off the virus on its own with time and supportive care. Drinking plenty of water, choosing easily digestible foods rich in nutrients to provide the body with the building blocks it needs for healing such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
The most important thing is to manage symptoms, take good nutrition and adequate rest till your liver recovers. Hospitalisation is also unnecessary unless the individual has severe nausea, vomiting, or acute liver failure. People should also avoid unnecessary medication that can affect the liver including allopathic (paracetamol), ayurveda and homeo. It’s important to rest your body at the time, to hydrate well, and have a balanced diet.

Prevention
Vaccination is the ultimate shield. Routine vaccination of children over 12 and before traveling also needs to be done. Wash hands properly after using the toilet, before eating food, etc. Food handling is vital, thorough washing of fruits and vegetables should be done. Be cautious of food consumption while traveling.

Dr Charles Panackel is Senior Consultant – Hepatology at Aster Medcity, Kochi