What Is Hep A?
Hep A is short for hepatitis A. It is a virus that is common in many parts of the world, especially in areas with less adequate sanitation, though it is possible to encounter it almost anywhere.
People who catch hep A may not notice symptoms until weeks later. If you believe that you or a loved one has contracted or is at risk of contracting hepatitis A, there are a few questions you should get answers for.
1. What Is Hep A?
Hep A is a virus that can be caught by anyone who hasn’t developed an immunity to it either through encountering it before or receiving a vaccine. Hepatitis A is one of three types of hepatitis. The other two are known as hep B and hep C.
Hep A is an infection of a person’s liver. While usually not deadly, it can be more harmful to some people than others.
2. Is Hep A Contagious Between People?
Hepatitis A can be spread from person to person. While the virus is not airborne and will not spread from the coughing or sneezing of an infected person, it can still be transferred through close contact.
Anyone living in close contact with someone who has contracted Hep A should use caution and be mindful of the risk of spread. While being in a room with someone who is infected is generally not a risk, touching and sexual contact should be avoided. Hand washing should also be done frequently by everyone in the household, especially before preparing food.
3. Can Hep A Be a Foodborne Illness?
Unfortunately, one of the most common ways that Hep A is spread is through the consumption of contaminated food. This occurs when fecal matter from an infected person comes into contact with foods or drinks. This can happen much more easily than you may initially think, as even tiny traces can be enough to spread hep A.
For example, eating food from a restaurant in which an employee has not properly washed hands after using the restroom can easily transfer hep A. Food that has come into contact with sewage, such as contaminated seafood, can also spread the virus.
4. What Are the Symptoms of Hep A?
Hepatitis A often causes several symptoms that can vary in severity from case to case. It takes a few weeks from infection for the symptoms to appear. Interestingly, some individuals who are exposed to the virus never experience any symptoms.
When symptoms do appear, they can include nausea, fever, and unusual bowel movements and urination. Affected people may also experience pain in their abdomen and loss of appetite. Jaundice or the development of a yellow hue in the skin and eyes is also a common symptom.
5. What Health Complications Can Occur from Hep A?
Luckily, hepatitis A is not known for causing any severe health complications in healthy people. In most cases, it will eventually clear from the infected person’s system without any permanent symptoms. After people have caught the virus and recovered, they should be immune for the rest of their life.
While hep A is not a chronic condition, it can still be dangerous for some individuals. In cases where the affected person is elderly or suffers from pre-existing conditions, hep A can occasionally cause sudden issues or failure of the liver. This may lead to the need for emergency care or even a liver transplant.
6. Who Is Most at Risk for Hep A?
There are certain situations that may put people at an increased risk of hepatitis A. For example, some parts of the world experience outbreaks at an increased frequency, and people who travel to or live in these areas may be more likely to come into contact with the virus.
Other situations that may put people at increased risk are working in childcare situations or in a laboratory. People who are homeless are also generally more prone to contracting the virus. People who are positive for HIV, have hemophilia or similar conditions, or participate in any kind of drug use may become infected more easily and be at higher risk for worsening symptoms and complications.
7. What is the Difference Between Hep A and Other Types of Hepatitis?
Hepatitis B and C are also liver infections. They are both different from hep A for a few reasons.
Hep B can be a chronic condition as well as a short-term illness. Blood and other fluids from an infected person’s body can transmit it. Hepatitis C is a chronic condition that can only spread from person to person through blood.
8. Do You Need to See a Doctor for Hep A?
For many people, the symptoms of hepatitis A clear up on their own without medical intervention. People can only get the virus once in their lifetime.
If you are at risk for liver failure and believe you have contracted, hep A you should see a doctor as soon as you can. Even if you are a generally healthy individual, it can be a good idea to schedule an appointment if you believe you have contracted hep A to ensure that you are getting the care you need.
9. What Is the Treatment for Hep A?
The only way to get rid of a hep A infection is to wait for it to clear up. Most medications have the potential to make the situation worse rather than better.
If you become infected, your doctor should be able to guide you through how to best handle your illness. Sometimes options for therapy to help you through your treatment may be available.
10. Is Hep A Preventable?
There is a vaccine for hep a, and it is an entirely preventable condition. Unfortunately, not everyone in the world has access to the vaccine, and many older people may not have received it during their childhood. In many areas today, children over the age of one are frequently vaccinated as a matter of course. However, there are still many people who are not immune and are at risk.
If you are a parent, getting your child vaccinated is a great way to keep them safe from future infections. If you are not vaccinated and are planning to travel to an area where infections are common or work in an at-risk industry, you should consider getting a vaccine as soon as possible. The vaccine is administered in the form of an injection. It may need to be given in two separate dosages spaced a few months apart, but once a person is immunized no further action should be necessary.
