Hepatitis A is a viral infection that leads to inflammation and affects the functioning of the liver. It is highly contagious and can range from mild cases that do not require treatment to more severe cases that can last for several months. Fortunately, most people recover from hepatitis A without any long-term liver damage.
Recognizing the Typical Signs of Hepatitis A
Once the hepatitis A virus has infiltrated the body, it takes a few weeks for symptoms to manifest. While not everyone affected will experience them, there are several prevalent indications to be aware of. These include flu-like symptoms such as a mild fever, reduced appetite, muscular discomfort, sudden bouts of nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and abdominal pain localized in the area of the liver, specifically below the lower ribs on the right-hand side of the body.
Additional Symptoms
Jaundice, which is characterized by a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, is a common symptom experienced by 70 to 85% of adults with hepatitis A. However, children and infants who are affected by the infection rarely exhibit jaundice or other hepatitis-related symptoms. In addition to jaundice, there are other less common symptoms associated with hepatitis A, such as dark urine or clay-colored bowel movements, joint pain, and intense itching. These less frequent symptoms may indicate a more severe case of the infection and can persist for several months, as opposed to the few weeks typically seen with milder symptoms and infections.