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

There is no special treatment or medication needed to cure HAV. The body gets rid of the virus on its own. (9)

When you’re sick with the infection, rest is important. Nausea can make eating difficult; small snacks and plenty of fluids are recommended. (9)

Medication Options

There are no medications that are needed or recommended to cure hepatitis A. (9)

If a person has been exposed to the hepatitis A virus, a single shot of the hepatitis A vaccine can help prevent infection. (1)

In some cases, an exposed person might also be given immune globulin, which is a substance that contains antibodies and comes from human blood plasma. (1)

Complementary and Integrative Approaches and Therapies

Because hepatitis A resolves on its own, there haven’t been any substantial studies on complementary therapies to help treat it.

Learn More About Treatment for Hepatitis A: Medication, Vaccination, and Home Remedies

Prevention of Hepatitis A

Although the infection rate of hepatitis A is lower in the United States than in many low- and middle-income countries, it is still present. (3) But there are ways to reduce the risk of catching the infection.

The best way to prevent hepatitis A is to get a hepatitis A vaccine. If a person gets the entire series (two or three doses are required), it can provide long-term protection against the infection. (1)

Tips on reducing the risk of spreading or catching HAV include the following: (12)

• Wash your hands thoroughly after using the restroom or whenever coming into contact with another person’s blood, stools, or other bodily fluids.
• If you work at a place where people routinely come into close contact, such as a day care center or long-term care facility, wash your hands often, especially before handling or serving food.

People who are traveling to an area where the water may be unsafe need to use extra precautions:

• Avoid raw shellfish.
• Be cautious about eating raw salads or raw fruit or vegetables that have been sliced or cut. They may have been washed in contaminated water. It is safer to peel all fruits and vegetables yourself if you wish to eat them raw.
• Use only bottled water that is sealed for drinking or brushing teeth, or use water that has been boiled for at least a full minute or has been chemically treated. (13)
• If food is heated, it should be hot to the touch and consumed right away.

Hepatitis A can be transmitted through any sexual activity with an infected person and is not limited to fecal-oral contact. Getting the HAV vaccine is the best way to avoid catching or spreading the infection. (1)