8 Important Facts About Hepatitis A; Symptoms, Treatment And More

Long-Term Effects Of The Disease

Hepatitis A typically does not cause any significant long-term complications that interfere with quality of life. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has found that ten to fifteen percent of individuals who have had hepatitis A have symptoms for up to a year and may experience a recurrence over a period of six to nine months. In severe cases, hepatitis A may lead to liver failure. The most efficient way to address liver failure is to perform a liver transplant, which is a complicated and expensive medical procedure. Around eleven thousand individuals who contract the disease die each year but many of these deaths are due to inadequate prevention methods, missed vaccinations, a lack of treatment, or living conditions that make these options impossible.

Treatment For Hepatitis A

There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A, and recovery from the disease can take up to several weeks or months. Methods that facilitate recovery include maintaining a comfortable position, replacing low fluid levels, and ensuring adequate nutritional balance. Children who contract hepatitis A usually experience a milder form of the virus whereas adults tend to suffer more severely. Receiving a shot of immunoglobulin, which contains antibodies that destroy hepatitis A, can reduce the severity of the disease in both adults and children. This medication is not a long-term treatment option and does not prevent the virus from spreading.