Is Hepatitis considered an infectious disease?
Hepatitis is commonly caused by a viral infection, but there are other possible causes including heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, certain medical conditions.
Is hepatitis A always contagious?
Hepatitis A is very contagious. This means that you can easily catch the virus from someone or give it to someone else. You are most contagious soon after you are infected and before symptoms appear. Adults who are otherwise healthy are no longer contagious 2 weeks after the illness begins.
What type of hepatitis is not contagious?
Noncontagious hepatitis due to specific infectious causes (such as from parasites) and chemical induced hepatitis (alcohol, medications) are not spread person-to-person.
How is hep A transmitted?
Hepatitis A can be spread from close, personal contact with an infected person, such as through certain types of sexual contact (like oral-anal sex), caring for someone who is ill, or using drugs with others. Hepatitis A is very contagious, and people can even spread the virus before they feel sick.
How do you feel when you have Hepatitis A?
Sudden nausea and vomiting. Abdominal pain or discomfort, especially on the upper right side beneath your lower ribs (by your liver) Clay-colored bowel movements. Loss of appetite.
How long does hepatitis A last for?
Symptoms of hepatitis A usually last less than 2 months, although 10%–15% of symptomatic persons have prolonged or relapsing disease for up to 6 months (9–13).
How long does it take to recover from hepatitis A?
You may be sick for a few weeks, but it may take up to 6 months to fully recover. In some cases hepatitis A can cause severe liver damage.
How do you prevent hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A infection can be prevented by getting vaccine or immune globulin soon after coming into contact with the virus. Persons who have recently been exposed to HAV should get immune globulin or vaccine as soon as possible, but not more than 2 weeks after the last exposure.
Where is Hepatitis A found?
What is hepatitis A? Hepatitis A is a virus that causes liver disease. Hepatitis A virus is found in the stool (poop) and blood of infected people.