5. Fatigue
6. Poor appetite or loss of appetite
7. Diarrhea
8. Nausea and vomiting
If you or a loved one are experiencing a number of these symptoms, it is important to consult your physician.
The best defense against HAV is a vaccination. A carrier can spread the infection two weeks before symptoms show and for a week after the symptoms manifest. If you feel as if you have been infected, getting the vaccine within two weeks of exposure should stave off an infection.
The vaccination is recommended for people who have unprotected sex, long-term liver disease, blood-clotting problems, people who inject themselves intravenously with illicit drugs and travelers going to parts of the world where HAV is prevalent.
Hepatitis A is closely associated with unclean water, poor personal hygiene and inadequate sanitation. This can cause chronic infection with no complications but rarely, it can cause acute liver failure and that has a high mortality rate. It is usually a problem in developing nations where sanitation can be poor.
Just 10 to 15 percent of patients with hepatitis A may have extra long recovery times or experience a recurrence of the infection. And rarely, some experience liver failure, making a liver transplant necessary.
Hepatitis B, on the other hand, can show no symptoms. If symptoms are present, they may also include muscle aches or joint pain, headaches and belly pain. A blood test is the best way to determine hepatitis infection. As long as you have the virus, you can spread the condition. Contagious period can last from two weeks to six months.