Hepatitis A
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Hepatitis A?
The development of symptoms is related to the age of the person. Approximately 90 percent of Hepatitis A infected children younger than 5 years old are asymptomatic. Thus, children in diapers can unknowingly pass the virus to their parents, caregivers and other children in their environment.
Older adults may have symptoms, but the degree of symptoms can vary greatly. Some people without symptoms are surprised to learn that they were exposed to the Hepatitis A virus. Others may have nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue, chills, loss of appetite and low-grade fever. More severe symptoms of Hepatitis A include a sudden fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dark urine and jaundice. Within a week of becoming jaundiced, most people experience malaise and weight loss. A small percentage of people with Hepatitis A become so ill that they require hospitalization.
Symptoms and signs of Hepatitis A usually last one to two months. In any scenario, by six months all symptoms and signs of will resolve. Once a person has had Hepatitis A, they develop immunity to the disease and cannot get it again.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Hepatitis A Information for the Public" http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/A/index.htm Retrieved February 9, 2011
Dolan, Mathew, The Hepatitis Handbook. North Atlantic Books, 1999.
Hepatitis Foundation International. "The ABC's of Hepatitis" http://www.hepfi.org/living/liv_abc.html Retrieved February 9, 2011.
Mayo Clinic. "Hepatitis A" http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hepatitis-a/DS00397 Retrieved February 9, 2011.
Palmer, MD, Melissa. Dr. Melissa Palmer’s Guide to Hepatitis & Liver Disease. New York: Avery Trade, 2004.