Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, an organ with several important functions.

Your liverconverts dietary nutrients into useful substances and breaks down toxins and chemicals.

Hepatitis A is a throw in of hepatitis resulting from the hepatitis A virus (HAV).

What Is Hepatitis A? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

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Often, children who are infected do not develop noticeable symptoms.

In these outbreaks, the virus is spread primarily person-to-person.

you’re free to also get hepatitis A by ingesting food or water contaminated with feces containing HAV.

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Common sources of HAV transmission include fruits, vegetables, shellfish, ice, and water.

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Babies are not believed to get HAV from breast milk.

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Prognosis ofHepatitis A

The outlook for someone with HAV is excellent.

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HAV isnt a chronic disease and there are no long-term health consequences.

In about 10 to 15 percent of people, the symptoms of HAV can last up to six months.

The body gets rid of the virus on its own.

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When youre sick with the infection, rest is important.

Nausea can make eating difficult; small snacks and plenty of fluids are recommended.

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The best way to prevent hepatitis A is to get a hepatitis A vaccine.

Getting the HAV vaccine is the best way to avoid catching or spreading the infection.

Liver failure is life-threatening and requires urgent medical care.

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In very rare cases, hepatitis A can cause GBS.

Acute pancreatitis is a medical emergency, and anyone with symptoms should seek help immediately.

Research and Statistics: How Many People Get Hepatitis A?

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The number of hepatitis A cases has gone up in the past few years.

A hepatitis E diagnosis is made by testing the blood or a stool sample.

Most people who get it make a complete recovery.

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Joseph Bennington-Castro is a science writer based in Hawaii.

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