There have been a few recent cases of Hepatitis A from a chain restaurant. Soundview Medical is here for your concerns and questions if needed. Though we do carry the vaccine this is not the treatment at this stage of the exposure. A call has been out to the health department as well as the hospital to insure they give our patients the correct information. At this time it is still too early for blood work and/or the vaccination. Mild cases of Hepatitis A don’t require treatment. Most people who are infected recover completely with no permanent liver damage.
Symptoms
Hepatitis A signs and symptoms typically don’t appear until you’ve had the virus for a few weeks. But not everyone with Hepatitis A develops them. If you do, Hepatitis signs and symptoms can include:
• Fatigue
• Sudden nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain or discomfort, especially on the upper right side beneath your lower ribs (by your liver)
• Clay-colored bowel movements
• Loss of appetite
• Low-grade fever
• Dark urine
• Joint pain
• Yellowing of the skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
• Intense itching
These symptoms may be relatively mild and go away in a few weeks. Sometimes, however, Hepatitis A infection results in a severe illness that lasts several months.
Hepatitis A treatment usually focuses on keeping comfortable and controlling signs and symptoms. You may need to:
• Rest. Many people with Hepatitis A infection feel tired and sick and have less energy.
• Manage nausea. Nausea can make it difficult to eat. Try snacking throughout the day rather than eating full meals. To get enough calories, eat more high-calorie foods. For instance, drink fruit juice or milk rather than water. Drinking plenty of fluids is important to prevent dehydration if vomiting occurs.
• Avoid alcohol and use medications with care. Your liver may have difficulty processing medications and alcohol. If you have Hepatitis, don’t drink alcohol. It can cause more liver damage. Talk to your doctor about all the medications you take, including over-the-counter drugs.