View source for Hepatitis A

==Background==
*Transmission by
**Fecal-oral route
**Most commonly transmitted from asymptomatic children to adults
**Can also occur with improper food handling, oyster consumption

==Clinical Features==
*Incubation period 15-50 days
*Prodrome of [[nausea/vomiting]], malaise
**~1 week into illness, may have dark urine (bilirubinuria), clay-colored stools, [[jaundice]]
*No chronic component
*~1-2% of HAV infections in adults lead to fulminant [[hepatic failure]]
*Death from hepatic failure is rare

==Differential Diagnosis==
{{Acute hepatitis causes}}

==Evaluation==
{{Acute hepatitis panel}}

==Management==
*Supportive care
**[[Antiemetics]]
**Oral or IV hydration
**Avoid hepatotoxic medications
*Patients with fulminant hepatic failure (1-2% of HAV infections) may be considered for liver transplant
*Postexposure prophylaxis recommend for non-immunized close contacts of patient

==Disposition==
*Typically discharge, admit if:
**INR >2
**Unable to tolerate PO
**Intractable pain
**Bilirubin >30
**[[Hypoglycemia]]
**Significant comorbidity/immunocompromised

==See Also==
*[[Acute hepatitis]]

==External Links==

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:ID]]
[[Category:GI]]