No, Hepatitis A does not damage the liver

Dear Dr. Donohue: You have written about hepatitis B and C, but I haven’t seen anything on hepatitis A. I had it. Will it cause liver problems in the future? — T.S.

ANSWER: Hepatitis A is a worldwide problem. In countries where sanitation is poor, it’s a major public-health menace. Even in industrialized countries with excellent sanitation, it poses a threat. Hepatitis A antibodies are found in 40 percent to 70 percent of the world’s population, with the highest numbers in countries where it is difficult to maintain a sanitary water and food supply. Antibodies are evidence of previous infection.

The virus is spread from person to person or from food or water contaminated with it. It has a long incubation period — the time between when the virus enters the body and when symptoms first appear. The average is one month. Such a long incubation makes it hard to pinpoint the source of infection.

Fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches and a loss of appetite are common symptoms. Some become jaundiced — their skin and the whites of their eyes turn yellow, a sign of liver involvement. Urine color darkens. The illness lasts about three weeks for most patients.

For a minority, hepatitis A can be a harrowing experience, and for a very few it can prove lethal.

Peculiarly, young children often develop few to no symptoms.

Hepatitis A does not lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer down the road, as can the other hepatitis viruses.

There is a vaccine for hepatitis A. Household contacts of a hepatitis A patient should receive it, as should people traveling to countries where the hepatitis A infection rate is high. Male homosexuals are at risk of getting this infection, and the vaccine is also recommended for them.

Readers can obtain a copy of the hepatitis pamphlet by writing: Dr. Donohue — No. 503W, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.50 U.S.with the recipient’s printed name and address. Allow four weeks for delivery.