What are the treatments for the infection?

Treatment of hepatitis A includes:

Antiviral and anti-inflammatory medications are not helpful for the treatment of hepatitis A.

Acute fulminant hepatitis can cause life-threatening liver failure. This requires a hospital stay and treatment for the bleeding disorder,as well as for neurological and nutritional problems. Sometimes, the only effective treatment is a liver transplant.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

The side effects of treatment for routine hepatitis A are minimal. Problems associated with the hepatitis A vaccine are minimal, as well. A person who has been exposed to the virus and is injected with serum immunoglobulin as a precaution may feel some pain at the injection site or have a mild, brief flu-like illness.

A liver transplant for acute fulminant hepatitis can cause many problems, including failure or rejection of the new liver. After a liver transplant, a person will need to take powerful antirejection medications for the rest of his or her life. Side effects of these medications increase the risk for infections, certain cancers, and other problems.

What happens after treatment for the infection?

After the hepatitis A is resolved, the person will no longer need medications. He or she can return to normal activities, even if some jaundice remains.

How is the infection monitored?

The healthcare provider will often repeat the liver function tests to assure that they are normal. Other tests, like liver ultrasound or CAT scans, are not needed.