Hepatitis A

Question 1

What is hepatitis A?

Answer 1

Infection is caused by the hepatotropic hepatitis A virus (HAV) often via faecal-oral route or shellfish resulting in acute hepatitis?

Question 2

What are the clinical features of hepatitis A?

Answer 2

Fever 
Malaise 
Anorexia 
Arthralgia 
Right upper quadrant tenderness 
Jaundice 
Patients do not becomes carriers or get chronic liver failure (unlike Hep B and C)

Question 3

How is hepatitis A diagnosed?

Answer 3

(Labs) ↑↑ Serum transaminase (AST, ALT)
(Confirmatory) ↑ Anti-HAV IgM (active infection)
↑ Anti-HAV IgG (past infection)

Question 4

What are the differential diagnosis of hepatitis A?

Answer 4

Hepatitis E presents similarly

Increased risk of liver failure in pregnant women

Question 5

What is the treatment for hepatitis A?

Answer 5

Self limiting
Avoid alcohol
Active immunisation for prevention