What are the stages of hepatitis A?
Early in the disease, called the prodromal phase, symptoms may include: Fever. Joint pain or arthritis. Rash….Symptoms of the next phase, the preicteric phase , include:
- Fatigue.
- Myalgia (muscle pain)
- Anorexia.
- Nausea and/or vomiting.
- Fever.
- Cough.
- Abdominal pain and/or diarrhea.
- Dark urine and light stool color.
What is the prodromal phase of hepatitis?
Prodromal (pre-icteric) phase: Nonspecific symptoms occur; they include profound anorexia, malaise, nausea and vomiting, a newly developed distaste for cigarettes (in smokers), and often fever or right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Urticaria and arthralgias occasionally occur, especially in HBV infection.
What is an Icteric hepatitis?
Icteric hepatitis is associated with a prodromal period, during which a serum sickness –like syndrome can occur. The symptomatology is more constitutional and includes the following: Anorexia. Nausea. Vomiting.
What is the pathophysiology of hepatitis?
Viruses enter the blood stream and spread to the liver. They infect the hepatocytes and multiply. They change the antigen structure on the virus site. The body begins to use self-mediated immune response attempting to damage the hepatocytes.
What is the most common cause of viral hepatitis?
In the United States, viral hepatitis is most commonly caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). These three viruses can all result in acute disease with symptoms of nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, malaise, and jaundice.
Is Viral Hepatitis an STD?
Hepatitis B is a virus found in infected blood, semen (cum) and vaginal fluids. It’s a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can be passed on through unprotected sex. You can also get it from contaminated needles and syringes.
Does hepatitis A Go Away?
No specific medicines are used to treat hepatitis A. The infection will go away on its own, usually within a few weeks or months. In rare cases, HAV can cause liver failure.
How long is a person with Hepatitis A contagious to others?
You are most contagious soon after you are infected. Adults who are otherwise healthy are no longer contagious two weeks after the illness begins. Children and people with weak immune systems may be contagious for up to six months.
What does it mean to test positive for hepatitis A antibodies?
A positive result indicates the presence of HAV-specific IgG antibody from either vaccination or past exposure to hepatitis A virus.
How do I know if I am immune to hepatitis A?
Natural Immunity The blood test for immunity to hepatitis A is called the “Hepatitis A Total Antibody test.” People who have had hepatitis A and those who have received hepatitis A vaccine show positive antibodies to hepatitis A on this test for the rest of their life.
Can you be immune to Hep A?
Hepatitis A is a viral liver disease that can cause mild to severe illness. The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food and water or through direct contact with an infectious person. Almost everyone recovers fully from hepatitis A with a lifelong immunity.
What is hepatitis A total antibody?
A total antibody test detects both IgM and IgG antibodies but does not distinguish between them. If the total antibody test or hepatitis A IgG result is positive and someone has never been vaccinated against HAV, then the person has had past exposure to the virus.
How does hepatitis A affect the body?
Hepatitis A is a viral infection that causes liver inflammation and damage. Inflammation is swelling that occurs when tissues of the body become injured or infected. Inflammation can damage organs. Viruses invade normal cells in your body.