Hepatitis A is the most common liver disease, which is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV) leading to liver inflammation. Hepatitis A responds to treatment relatively quickly, as this hepatitis does not progress to a chronic stage.
What are the causes of hepatitis A?
The causes of hepatitis A include infection of the body with the hepatitis A virus, consumption of contaminated food, use of dirty and raw water, sharing common utensils or bath accessories with an infected person, sexual transmission of the virus, and transmission from mother to child in utero. Hepatitis A is a disease of infectious origin. We can contract the hepatitis A virus by using various utensils or any non-sterile items belonging to another person.
How do the symptoms of the hepatitis A virus manifest themselves?
The symptoms of the hepatitis A virus manifest primarily as patients feeling a sense of discomfort. The characteristic signs of the disease are as follows:
- High fever for a prolonged period (up to 10 days);
- Nausea, vomiting;
- General malaise;
- Darkening of urine;
- Yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes;
- Pale-colored stool.
What are the symptoms of hepatitis A and the initial signs of discomfort?
When experiencing hepatitis A symptoms, patients feel discomfort such as fatigue, staying up late and reluctance to get out of bed, as well as feelings of depression. After a certain period, these conditions can be complicated by fever, i.e., an increase in body temperature. We are not talking about internal heat here; we see on the thermometer that the temperature is 37.5 or 38, at which point the patient is forced to consult a doctor.
What is observed when the temperature rises and other symptoms appear?
When the temperature rises, we can sometimes see a yellowing of the patient's sclera, that is, the white part of the eyes, and upon seeing the yellowness, the patient panics. As a second symptom, a darkening of the urine color can also be observed. All these signs compel the patient to consult a doctor, and hepatitis A responds relatively quickly to treatment.
How is the diagnostics of hepatitis A carried out?
During the diagnostics of hepatitis A, I prescribe a series of tests and examinations. If you experience several of the symptoms mentioned above, do not delay in consulting professional doctors! Remember that this hepatitis does not progress to a chronic stage.