|  | Conditions Treatments | Medical Conditions

Liver Infection & Treatment

Hepatitis A is a liver infection that affects many Americans each year. According to The American Liver Foundation, approximately 25 million people each year contract a liver or gallbladder disease. Hepatitis A is caused by the highly contagious hepatitis A virus.

  1. Identification

    • The liver is responsible for detoxifying the body and aiding the body in the digestion of food. The hepatitis A virus (HAV) causes the liver to become irritated and inflamed, affecting its ability to function normally. In mild cases of HAV, the liver can heal on it's own and does not require treatment. In more severe cases, medical treatment may be necessary.

    Causes

    • Hepatitis A is contracted by drinking contaminated water, eating contaminated food or by close contact with someone who has the virus. People who travel internationally and gay or bisexual men who are sexually active are at an increased risk of contracting HAV.

    Symptoms

    • The symptoms of HAV are nausea, vomiting, fatigue, stomach pain, loss of appetite, fever, jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes), muscle pain and itching.

    Treatment

    • There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A. Your doctor may recommend that you abstain from alcohol during the acute part of the illness to reduce stress on the liver. Your doctor may also change some of your medicines and advise eliminating the use of acetaminophen. This will help to reduce the risk of permanent liver damage from the virus.

    Considerations

    • Prevention of any infection or illness is always the best course of action. If you are at an increased risk of contracting HAV, protect yourself with good hygiene practices such as hand washing. Drink bottled water while traveling to avoid consuming contaminated water. If you are a gay or bisexual man, avoid unprotected sexual activity. Condoms will not always provide protection from HAV.

Medical Conditions - Related Articles