Treating hepatitis A

Most people require no treatment for hepatitis A except to relieve symptoms. However, if symptoms of hepatitis A become severe or dehydration develops, the person should seek medical care. There is a vaccine for hepatitis A.

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• Bed-rest if the person feels unwell enough. If there is no fever an individual can continue normal day to day activities. Patients can return to active sport or strenuous activity once the levels of the liver enzymes in the blood have normalised. They can also follow a regular diet. However, if their appetite is poor, they should be encouraged to drink fruit juice and other liquids.
• Avoid alcohol and medications that can injure the liver.

Medical treatments

There is no specific treatment available to treat an acute hepatitis (a new infection), recovery being dependent on the person's own immune response to the virus infection. Any complications might require supportive medical treatment in hospital. 

Read more: 

Symptoms of hepatitis A  

Causes of hepatitis A 

Diagnosing hepatitis A 

Revised and reviewed by Dr Karin Richter, MMed Path (Medical Virology), FC Path(SA) Viro, Dip HIV Man (SA), Dip Obst (SA), MBChB , Clinical Virologist, Senior Lecturer, Department of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria, Faculty of Health Sciences, and Consultant Pathologist, Tshwane Academic Division, National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) February 2015.