How to Treat Hepatitis A

Medically reviewed by Raj Vuppalanchi, MD

Last Updated: May 4, 2022 References

Hepatitis A is an inflammatory liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus, which is primarily spread by eating food or drinking water that's contaminated with feces (poop) from an infected person.^{[1]
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World Health Organization
Health information and news provided by the World Health Organization
Go to source} Symptoms of hepatitis A include clay-colored bowel movements, dark urine, and yellowing of the skin and eyes. Unlike other types of hepatitis (B and C), hepatitis A doesn't cause chronic liver disease and is rarely life threatening. Mild cases don't typically require treatment and most people recover within a few weeks with no permanent liver damage. More severe cases take longer to resolve (a few months or so) and typically need supportive treatment for the flu-like symptoms. There is currently no cure for hepatitis A.^{[2]
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Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Treating Hepatitis A

1
Get lots of rest. Symptoms of hepatitis A are often described as flu-like and include fatigue (tiredness), weakness, loss of appetite and a low-grade fever.^{[3]
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FamilyDoctor.org
Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors
Go to source} To combat these symptoms, get plenty of rest, especially during the initial stages of the infection, and temporarily reduce your activities and exercise regiment.
- You'll probably need to stay home from work or school until the flu-like symptoms fade away (a few weeks of so).^{[4]
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  National Health Service (UK)
  Public healthcare system of the UK
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- Focus on getting at least 8 hours of quality sleep each night, if not more.
- Take a break from the gym for a few weeks until your energy levels build back up. Instead, go for a short walk on occasion to get some fresh air and stimulate your blood circulation.
2
Take pain relieving medication with caution. Other symptoms associated with hepatitis A are abdominal pain or discomfort near your liver (upper right side beneath your ribs) and joint pain, especially large joints such as your hips, spine and knees. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can help reduce painful symptoms, but keep your dosage well below maximum recommended amounts.^{[5]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
- The liver is responsible for processing (metabolizing) drugs in your body, so higher doses can irritate, inflame and damage liver cells, especially if they're already infected with viral hepatitis.
- Avoid taking acetaminophen unless you've talked with your doctor.
- Adults tend to experience more symptoms than children because their liver cells don't grow and regenerate as quickly.
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3
Cope with nausea and vomiting. Another common symptom of hepatitis is mild-to-moderate nausea and potential vomiting, which can wax and wane throughout the day.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
Academic Hepatologist
Expert Interview. 26 October 2020.} To combat nausea, eat smaller meals or snacks throughout the day instead of three large ones. Focus on bland food, such as crackers, bread and white rice. Avoid fatty and fried foods, as well as spicy seasonings.^{[7]
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MedlinePlus
Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine
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- Ginger is a natural remedy for nausea, so consider taking ginger capsules, eating pickled ginger or drinking real ginger ale.
- If your nausea and/or vomiting is severe, your doctor may prescribe an antiemetic drug (such as metoclopramide) to reduce the symptoms.
4
Keep well hydrated. A further complication of chronic or severe bouts of vomiting is dehydration, especially if you can't keep fluids down. Symptoms of dehydration to look out for include: severe thirst, dry skin, sunken looking eyes, lack of urination, headache, confusion and lethargy (fatigue).^{[8]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Focus on drinking purified water and herbal teas for hydration, although chicken / beef broths and diluted fruit juices are also good sources of electrolytes (mineral salts that are lost with vomiting).
- Avoid beverages with caffeine (coffee, black tea, colas, energy drinks) because it's a diuretic that stimulates urination and increases the risk of dehydration.^{[9]
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  FamilyDoctor.org
  Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors
  Go to source}
- If you can't keep yourself hydrated with beverages, you'll need to go to a hospital or emergency clinic to get intravenous fluid through a vein in your arm.^{[10]
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  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
5
Combat itchy sensations. Another potential side effect with any form of hepatitis or liver disease is a general sense of itchiness (also called pruritus) all over the body.^{[11]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source} Liver-related itchiness is caused by two main factors: an accumulation of toxins that haven't been filtered out by a damaged liver, and a back-up of bilirubin in the blood.^{[12]
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Expert Source

Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
Academic Hepatologist
Expert Interview. 26 October 2020.}
- To combat itchiness wear loose clothing, avoid hot baths and showers, don't get sunburned and maintain a cool, well-ventilated environment in your home.^{[13]
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  National Health Service (UK)
  Public healthcare system of the UK
  Go to source}
- No amount of scratching relieves this form of pruritus, so don't start and then risk getting a skin infection.
- A build-up of bilirubin levels due to a damaged liver also causes yellowing of the skin and eyes, known as jaundice.
- With severe cases of itching, taking an over-the-counter antihistamine medication may help because it reduces inflammatory reactions.
6
Avoid alcohol. An injured and inflamed liver has trouble processing and metabolizing (breaking down) the toxins in medications, as well as alcohol (ethanol). As such, take it easy on your liver by not drinking alcoholic beverages while your body fights the hepatitis A virus — it may take a few weeks to a few months, depending on the severity of the infection and strength of your immune system.^{[14]
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FamilyDoctor.org
Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors
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- Although red wine has some health value (it contains antioxidants), it should also be avoided by people with hepatitis.
- Instead of wine, drink grape juice with meals as long as it doesn't trigger nausea.
- Instead of drinking regular beer after work or on weekends, try non-alcoholic varieties.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Preventing Hepatitis A

1
Get vaccinated. The easiest way to prevent hepatitis A is to get vaccinated with the hepatitis A vaccine. It's proven to be effective at preventing infection by the virus. Hepatitis A vaccines are typically given in two doses — an initial shot in the arm followed by a booster shot at least six months later.^{[15]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source} All children by the age of two years should get vaccinated to help prevent future infection.^{[16]
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Expert Source

Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
Academic Hepatologist
Expert Interview. 26 October 2020.}
- People who are recommended to get vaccinated include: lab workers who handle hep A, people who work with sewage, men who have anal sex, illicit drug users, patients with chronic liver disease, and people traveling to areas with high rates of hep A.^{[17]
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  National Health Service (UK)
  Public healthcare system of the UK
  Go to source}
- The effectiveness of the hep A vaccine ranges from 80-100% after 1-2 doses in most people.^{[18]
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- The three types of vaccines used against hep A are: a monovalent vaccine, a combined hep A and hep B vaccine, and a combined hep A and typhoid fever vaccine.^{[19]
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  National Health Service (UK)
  Public healthcare system of the UK
  Go to source}
- For adults, a booster hep A shot is estimated to protect you for at least 20 years.^{[20]
  X
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  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}
2
Be cautious when traveling. If you're traveling to higher risk places where hepatitis A outbreaks frequently occur, then take the necessary precautions. More specifically, peel and thoroughly wash all fresh fruits and veggies yourself before eating them. Avoid eating any raw or undercooked meat, poultry and fish. Drink only bottled water and also use it when brushing your teeth. Don't drink any beverages with ice added.^{[21]
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Research source}
- Higher risk areas for hepatitis A include Mexico, China, Southeast Asia, Africa, Asia and most parts of South America.
- If bottled water isn't available to you, boil tap water for about 10 minutes before drinking it.
3
Practice good hygiene. In addition to contaminated food and water, hepatitis A is also transmitted from infected people — either sexually or from their dirty dirty hands.^{[22]
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World Health Organization
Health information and news provided by the World Health Organization
Go to source} As such, practice good hygiene by frequently washing your hands with warm water and antibacterial soap. As an alternative to soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after you shake hands with someone or handle fresh produce (fruits and veggies).
- Always wash your hands after using the toilet, changing a diaper and before preparing food or eating it.^{[23]
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  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}
- The hep A virus can also be transmitted sexually, so practice safe sex and always insist on condom usage.

Expert Q&A

Question

What is the most effective way to control hepatitis A?

Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
Academic Hepatologist
Dr. Raj Vuppalanchi is an Academic Hepatologist, a Professor of Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine, and the Director of Clinical Hepatology at IU Health. With over ten years of experience, Dr. Vuppalanchi runs a clinical practice and provides care to patients with various liver disorders at the University Hospital in Indianapolis. He completed dual fellowships in Clinical Pharmacology and Gastroenterology-Hepatology at Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Raj Vuppalanchi is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a member of the American Association for Study of Liver Diseases and the American College of Gastroenterology. His patient-oriented research is dedicated to finding new treatments for various liver disorders as well as the use of diagnostic tests for non-invasive estimation of liver fibrosis (transient elastography) and portal hypertension (spleen stiffness).

Raj Vuppalanchi, MD

Academic Hepatologist

Expert Answer

Getting a hepatitis vaccine is the best way to prevent and control the virus.
Question

What happens if I leave hepatitis A untreated?

Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
Academic Hepatologist
Dr. Raj Vuppalanchi is an Academic Hepatologist, a Professor of Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine, and the Director of Clinical Hepatology at IU Health. With over ten years of experience, Dr. Vuppalanchi runs a clinical practice and provides care to patients with various liver disorders at the University Hospital in Indianapolis. He completed dual fellowships in Clinical Pharmacology and Gastroenterology-Hepatology at Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Raj Vuppalanchi is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a member of the American Association for Study of Liver Diseases and the American College of Gastroenterology. His patient-oriented research is dedicated to finding new treatments for various liver disorders as well as the use of diagnostic tests for non-invasive estimation of liver fibrosis (transient elastography) and portal hypertension (spleen stiffness).

Raj Vuppalanchi, MD

Academic Hepatologist

Expert Answer

If you have an underlying liver condition, hepatitis A could lead to acute or chronic liver failure.
Question

What does hepatitis A look like?

Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
Academic Hepatologist
Dr. Raj Vuppalanchi is an Academic Hepatologist, a Professor of Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine, and the Director of Clinical Hepatology at IU Health. With over ten years of experience, Dr. Vuppalanchi runs a clinical practice and provides care to patients with various liver disorders at the University Hospital in Indianapolis. He completed dual fellowships in Clinical Pharmacology and Gastroenterology-Hepatology at Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Raj Vuppalanchi is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a member of the American Association for Study of Liver Diseases and the American College of Gastroenterology. His patient-oriented research is dedicated to finding new treatments for various liver disorders as well as the use of diagnostic tests for non-invasive estimation of liver fibrosis (transient elastography) and portal hypertension (spleen stiffness).

Raj Vuppalanchi, MD

Academic Hepatologist

Expert Answer

Some people with hepatitis A may not have any symptoms. Others will experience pain in the upper right side of their abdomen, dark-colored urine, jaundice, itching, nausea, vomiting, fever, and diarrhea.