Have you or someone you know suddenly felt weak, had yellow eyes, and lost their appetite? Sometimes these symptoms can be accompanied by a fever. It's normal to feel a little scared when we hear these things. These symptoms can be caused by Hepatitis A. But don't worry, this is usually not a serious condition. Let's talk about everything simply and clearly.
Simply put, what is hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a viral infection. It is caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV). This virus directly affects the liver in our body. When the virus enters the body, our liver starts to swell, or in medical terms, to become inflamed.
But the best thing is that it does not become a chronic disease like other types of hepatitis. That is, it is not a disease that lasts for a long time. It usually gets better in about two months without any treatment. However, it is very contagious. So if you have this disease, it is very important to take care not to infect others.
What are the symptoms of Hepatitis A?
The virus may not show any symptoms for two to six weeks after it enters the body. This period is called the incubation period. During this time, the virus multiplies inside the body. Then, symptoms appear when our immune system starts to fight against this virus.
Some people, especially children under 6 years of age, may develop the disease without showing any symptoms and recover. However, most people may experience one or more of the following symptoms.
| Symptom | Simply explained |
|---|---|
| Yellowing of the eyes and skin (Jaundice) | This is the main symptom that most people see. This condition occurs when the liver is unable to function properly. |
| Dark-colored urine and light-colored stools | Urine may be dark tea-colored, and stools may be light, like the color of clay. |
| Fatigue | Even without doing any work, the body feels very tired. The body feels lifeless. |
| Fever | You may feel feverish, as if your body is hot. |
| Loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting | You may lose all desire to eat, and you may also experience nausea and vomiting. |
| Stomach ache | You may feel pain, especially on the right side of your stomach, where the liver is located. |
| Other features | Some people may also experience symptoms such as diarrhea, joint pain, and itchy skin. |
How is this disease transmitted from person to person?
This is very important to understand. Simply put, this virus is in the stool and blood of the patient. So, the disease is transmitted if the virus in that stool somehow gets into your mouth. We call this the 'fecal-oral route'. There are several ways this can happen:
- Not washing your hands: Imagine that someone who is sick goes to the bathroom and doesn't wash their hands properly with soap. If they then use those same hands to prepare food for you, or touch something you touch, the virus can get on your hands and get into your body when you eat the food.
- Contaminated food and water: In places where waste is not properly disposed of, the virus can enter drinking water sources along with that waste. Also, eating raw vegetables and fruits that have been washed in that water can spread the disease. It is important to be careful about cleanliness, especially when eating out.
- Close contact: There is a risk of contracting the disease when you have very close contact with someone who has the disease (for example, having sex).
- Needle sharing: When people who inject drugs use the same needle, the virus in the patient's blood can be passed on to another person.
The most important thing is that you can still infect someone else two weeks after you show symptoms and three weeks after your symptoms disappear. That's why you need to think a lot about cleanliness.
Let's learn about diagnosis and treatment.
How does the doctor diagnose the disease?
If you have the symptoms mentioned above, the best thing to do is to see a doctor. The doctor will ask you about your symptoms and examine you. In particular, they will check for yellowing of the eyes (jaundice) and swelling of the liver.
Then, they will ask you to take a blood test to confirm the exact diagnosis.
- Liver Function Test: This checks how well your liver is working or if it has been damaged.
- Antibody Test: This is what confirms whether you actually have the Hepatitis A virus in your body.
How is Hepatitis A treated?
Actually, there is no specific medicine to kill the Hepatitis A virus. Our body's immune system fights this virus and kills it. So, what doctors do is give advice that will help in that fight and help you recover quickly.
| What to do | Description |
|---|---|
| Rest well. | If you feel tired, get as much rest as possible. Stay home from work or school. This will help you recover faster and prevent you from spreading the illness to others. |
| Drink plenty of water/fluids. | Vomiting and stomach upset can cause a lot of fluid loss from the body. So drink plenty of fluids like water, broth, porridge, and soup. |
| Avoid things that are heavy on the liver. | Since the liver is already weak, you should avoid things that put more strain on it. Stop drinking alcohol completely. Also, do not take any painkillers or other medications without consulting your doctor. |
| Stay in touch with the doctor. | Your doctor may want to check on your condition. If your symptoms worsen or you do not feel better, tell your doctor right away. |
The best thing is to prevent the disease before it occurs!
Yes, we can prevent Hepatitis A. The best and easiest way to do that is to get the Hepatitis A vaccine.
Who is it important to get vaccinated?
- For anyone over 1 year old.
- For those traveling to countries where the disease is common.
- For those who already have another chronic liver disease.
- For those who work in places like kindergartens and hospitals.
Besides vaccination, things we can do
- Wash your hands thoroughly: Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap after using the toilet, before preparing food, before eating, and after changing diapers for young children.
- Clean food and water: Always drink boiled water. When eating out, choose clean places. Wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly before eating.
If you get sick, how can you protect others?
- Let those you live with (at home, at work) know that you are sick.
- Avoid preparing food for others or sharing food for a while.
- Clean the toilet and sink you use with disinfectant.
- Avoid having sex during illness.
Take-Home Message
- Hepatitis A is a viral disease that affects the liver. However, it is not usually chronic and resolves on its own over time.
- It is spread through contaminated food, water, and poor personal hygiene.
- If you have symptoms such as yellowing of the eyes, extreme fatigue, fever, and loss of appetite, see a doctor immediately.
- The best protection is to get vaccinated against Hepatitis A. Also, it is very important to always wash your hands thoroughly.
- If you get sick, get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, and completely avoid things like alcohol, which can put a strain on the liver.
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