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- Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis A is a specific type of hepatitis.
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- First phase (lasts 1 week):
- Fatigue
- "Not feeling well"
- Loss of appetite
- Nasal discharge
- Sore throat
- Skin rashes
- Joint pain
- Fever or Chills
- Nausea/vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea or Constipation
- Second ("icteric") phase (occurs
5-10 days after first phase):
- Yellow skin or eyes
- Usually earlier symptoms improve.
- Infants and young children my not become
"icteric"
- Third (convalescent) phase:
- Continued steady improvement
- Note: fatigue may last up to 3 months.
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- It is caused by the hepatitis A virus.
- Hepatitis A is spread when food is contaminated with infected fecal material (even small amounts).
- This may occur when a food handler does not wash properly after defecating, or when food crops are contaminated with sewage water.
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- Yellow skin or eyes
- Liver tenderness
- Spleen tenderness
- Elevated AST, ALT, and total
bilirubin
- Alkaline phosphatase may be elevated
- Hepatitis A antibody testing to confirm diagnosis.
- High-titer of IgM-specific
antibody to HAV
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- Rest, hydration, and adequate nutrition
- Do not use medications that contain acetaminophen, e.g., Tylenol
- Avoid alcoholic beverages and medicines containing alcohol
- Palatable food -- do not limit protein as is done in hepatic encephalopathy. Protein helps to heal the liver in active hepatitis.
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- Hepatitis A in most cases resolves completely on its own without long-term problems.
- Very rarely, a severe fulminant form can occur that results in liver failure.
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If your
child has any of the following symptoms, he/she needs
hospitalization:
- Severe vomiting and Dehydration
- Bleeding problems
- Suspected brain dysfunction
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- Strict hand washing after bowel movements for those with the infection
- Hand washing by all food handlers
- Immune globulin for close contacts and, household contacts
- Immune globulin may be given to those in day care centers or at high risk of exposure during a school outbreak
- Hepatitis A vaccine is available for travelers or those at high risk of exposure.
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