Signs and Symptoms of Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is one of several viral infections that affect the liver, causing acute inflammation and a range of symptoms that may persist for several months before eventually resolving without treatment. Read on to learn more about the symptoms of hepatitis A.

What Are the Symptoms of Hepatitis A?

Not all individuals with hepatitis A experience symptoms. Symptoms are more likely to appear in adults compared to children and can vary from person to person. However, most adults and children over the age of six exhibit the following symptoms:

• Early Symptoms

The initial or early symptoms of hepatitis A often resemble flu symptoms and may include:

1. Nausea.
2. Stomach pain.
3. Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.

• Advanced Symptoms

As the disease progresses, individuals with hepatitis A may experience the following symptoms:

1. Dark-colored urine.
2. Light-colored or clay-colored stools.
3. Joint pain.
4. Fever.
5. Nausea and vomiting.
6. Loss of appetite.
7. Abdominal pain, especially in the upper right quadrant.
8. Fatigue and extreme weakness.
9. Sudden diarrhea.
10. Itchy skin.
11. Jaundice.

As mentioned, children, especially those under six, often show no symptoms, and only about 10% of them develop jaundice.

When Do Symptoms Typically Appear?

Hepatitis A symptoms generally appear between two to seven weeks after infection with the virus. This period is known as the incubation period, during which the virus multiplies. The immune system usually does not start fighting the virus until it has replicated enough to pose a threat to the body, which is why symptoms appear after this period.

How Long Do Symptoms Last?

Symptoms persist for as long as the immune system is combating the virus, typically lasting around two months for most patients before they subside. However, a small percentage of patients (1 in 10) may experience symptoms for up to six months.

In some cases, symptoms may disappear and then return, a phenomenon known as relapse, during which the patient experiences another acute phase before finally recovering. 

When Is Hepatitis A Contagious?

A person with hepatitis A is usually contagious for up to two weeks before symptoms appear and up to three weeks after symptoms start. Children can spread the virus even if they do not exhibit symptoms.

How Is Hepatitis A Diagnosed?

The doctor typically begins by asking about the patient’s symptoms, followed by a physical examination to look for visible signs associated with hepatitis, such as jaundice and liver or spleen enlargement.

However, the specific type of hepatitis cannot be identified without a blood test. Blood tests are conducted to assess liver function and detect specific antibodies in the blood, which help determine the type of virus and distinguish hepatitis A from other forms.

Blazma provides all the tests that a doctor may require for diagnosing hepatitis A, including a Liver function test Package, which does not require any special preparation.