This is an automatically translated article.
Question
Hello doctor,
I got tested for hepatitis A (positive HAV). Due to the covid epidemic, I want to be treated at home. Doctor let me ask, can hepatitis A be treated at home? I would like to thank.
Nguyen Van Hung (1999)
Answer
Answered by Doctor, Doctor Tran Thi Phuong Thuy - Head of Infectious Disease Unit - Department of General Internal Medicine, Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.
Hello,
To the question "Can hepatitis A be treated at home?", the doctor would like to answer as follows:
Hepatitis A is a very contagious disease that is transmitted by the fecal-oral route, through direct contact. or contaminated food or water. The incubation period is usually 15 to 50 days, with an average of 28 days. Acute hepatitis A presents clinically with many levels, from asymptomatic, with typical manifestations (fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, vomiting, jaundice) to very severe. The mortality rate is about 0.3 to 0.6%.
The disease mostly resolves on its own (98%), does not become chronic. The main treatment in acute hepatitis is supportive treatment: bed rest, fluid resuscitation. Approximately 10-15% of symptomatic cases require hospitalization. Hepatitis A can be prevented through vaccination and good hygiene. People who work in food service jobs (markets, supermarkets, restaurants, etc.) are tested for new hepatitis A infection before they can be licensed. Antibodies to hepatitis A virus have 2 components, IgG and IgM. If positive for IgM means you are infected, if positive for IgG, you may have been infected and recovered from the disease before or because of hepatitis A vaccine. Your case is not clear positive for antibodies. any. Vietnam is an endemic area for hepatitis A, most of the population will have immunity to hepatitis A due to old infection. However, even if you are infected with a new virus but have no clinical symptoms, you do not need to be treated.
If you still have questions about hepatitis A, you can go to a hospital under Vinmec Health System for testing and further advice. Thank you for trusting and sending questions to Vinmec. Wishing you lots of health.
Best regards!
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