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What Is Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a liver disease
Hepatitis makes your liver swell and stops it from working right. You need a healthy liver. The liver does many things to keep you alive. The liver fights infections and stops bleeding. It removes drugs and other poisons from your blood. The liver also stores energy for when you need it.
What Causes Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is caused by a virus.
A virus is a germ that causes sickness. (For example, the flu is caused by a virus.) People can pass viruses to each other. The virus that causes hepatitis A is called the hepatitis A virus.
How Could I Get Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is spread by close personal contact with someone else who has the infection.
You could also get hepatitis A by
- eating food that has been prepared by someone with hepatitis A
- drinking water that has been contaminated by hepatitis A (in parts of the world with poor hygiene and sanitary conditions)
Who Can Get Hepatitis A?
Anyone can get hepatitis A.
But some people are more likely to than others:
- people who live with someone who has hepatitis A
- children who go to day care
- people who work in a day care center
- men who have sex with men
- people who travel to other countries where hepatitis A is common
What Are the Symptoms?
Hepatitis A can make you feel like you have the flu.
You might
- feel tired
- feel sick to your stomach
- have a fever
- not want to eat
- have stomach pain
- have diarrhea
Some people have
- dark yellow urine
- light-colored stools
- yellowish eyes and skin
Some people don't have any symptoms.
If you have symptoms, or think you might have hepatitis A, go to a doctor. The doctor will test your blood.
How Is Hepatitis A Treated?
Most people who have hepatitis A get well on their own after a few weeks.
You may need to rest in bed for several days or weeks, and you won't be able to drink alcohol until you are well. The doctor may give you medicine for your symptoms.
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