Hepatitis A
Home Treatment
Although no specific medical treatment is given for hepatitis A, home treatment can help relieve symptoms and prevent the spread of the virus.
Slow down
- Reduce your activity level to match your energy level. Do not stay in bed, because that may slow your recovery. Listen to your body, and slow down when you become tired.
- Don't go to work or school unless your workload can be decreased to match your energy level.
- Avoid strenuous exercise.
- As you start to feel better, go back to your regular activities gradually. If you try to meet your regular pace too soon, you may get sick again.
Eat right
- Even though food may not appeal to you, it is important for you to get adequate nutrition. Try eating small, frequent meals instead of three large meals. For most people, nausea and loss of appetite don't set in until later in the day. Try eating more in the morning and less later in the day.
- Doctors used to recommend a high-calorie, protein-rich diet to people who have hepatitis. This is no longer believed to be of any benefit, and such foods can be hard to eat when you feel nauseated. Try to maintain a balanced diet while eating foods that appeal to you.
Avoid dehydration
It is very important to keep your body well hydrated when you have hepatitis A, especially if you have been vomiting. Contact your health professional immediately or go to the nearest emergency room if you have vomited more than two times in one day.
- Drink plenty of water.
- If you can tolerate them, fruit juices and broth are other good choices because they provide additional calories.
- Many of the sports drinks available in grocery stores (such as Gatorade) can help replace essential electrolytes that are lost through vomiting.
Avoid alcohol and drugs
Hepatitis impairs your liver's ability to break down certain medicines and alcohol. If you take drugs (legal or illegal) or drink alcohol when you have hepatitis, their effects may be more powerful and may last longer. In addition, alcohol and some medications can make liver damage worse.
Make sure your health professional knows all the medications you are taking, including herbal products. Do not take any new medications or stop taking existing prescription medications without your doctor's approval.
Talk to your health professional about when it is safe to drink alcohol in moderation.
Try to control itching
People with hepatitis sometimes develop itchy skin. You can use nonprescription medications, such as Benadryl or Chlor-Trimeton, to control the itching. Be sure to follow the instructions for use that are provided with the product, and stop using the product if you have any side effects.
Tell your health professional before you start any new medicine.
Tips to prevent the spread of hepatitis A
If you have been infected with HAV, there are steps you can take to avoid infecting the people you are in close contact with.
- Inform those you live with or have sex with that you have hepatitis A. They should ask their doctor whether they need a shot of immune globulin. If given within 2 weeks of possible exposure to the virus, immune globulin (IG) is effective in preventing hepatitis A or reducing its symptoms. For more information, see the Medications section of this topic.
- Wash your hands with soap and hot water immediately after using the toilet or changing a diaper and before preparing food.
- Avoid any anal contact with a sex partner while you are infected.
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| Author: | Debby Golonka, MPH | Last Updated: November 16, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine W. Thomas London, MD - Hepatology | |
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