Hepatitis A (HA) is an infectious disease caused by the hepatitis A virus, primarily affecting the liver.

 Clinical symptoms include fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, hepatomegaly, abnormal liver function, and jaundice (yellowing of the sclera, skin, and urine) in some patients. The incubation period for acute hepatitis A is typically 14–49 days (average 30 days).

 Please note that children infected with hepatitis A may be asymptomatic, while adults usually experience more severe symptoms, potentially lasting weeks or even months of fatigue and discomfort.

 Fecal-oral transmission is the primary route of hepatitis A transmission—primarily through water, food, and everyday contact. The general population is susceptible to the hepatitis A virus, and the disease can occur at any age.

 There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A. Treatment focuses on supportive care, including fluid replacement, rest, and improved nutrition. During illness, avoid alcohol (including alcoholic beverages) and medications that may damage the liver. Severe cases may require hospitalization for liver function monitoring. With treatment, the vast majority of patients recover completely. How to prevent hepatitis A?

 1. Avoid close contact with infected individuals or sharing personal items.

 2. Change unhealthy eating habits. Do not drink unboiled water or eat raw seafood, especially seafood such as cockles, which can accumulate the hepatitis A virus. These must be thoroughly cooked before consumption; avoid eating them raw, undercooked, or directly after pickling.

 3. Develop good hygiene habits. Pay attention to personal hygiene, wash your hands before meals and after using the toilet, and prevent foodborne illnesses.

 4. Hepatitis A vaccination is an effective way to prevent hepatitis A.

 Anyone experiencing fever accompanied by fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, or other symptoms should seek medical attention promptly for early diagnosis, reporting, isolation, and treatment.

 甲型病毒性肝炎（簡稱甲肝）是由甲型肝炎病毒引起的，以肝臟炎症病變為主的傳染病。

 臨床症狀有乏力，食慾減退，噁心、嘔吐、腹痛、肝腫大，肝功能異常，部分病人出現黃疸，如眼睛鞏膜、皮膚和尿發黃等。急性甲肝的潛伏期通常為14∼49天（平均30天）。

 請注意，兒童感染甲肝可能沒有症狀，而成年人的症狀通常會較重，成年人可能需要經歷數週乃至數月的疲乏與不適。

 「糞口傳播」是甲肝最主要的傳播途徑——多經水、食物、日常接觸等方式傳播。人群對甲肝病毒普遍易感，任何年齡均可患病。

甲肝沒有特效藥，治療以支持療法為主，包括補液、休息和加強營養；患病期間避免喝酒（含酒精類飲料）及服用損害肝臟的藥物；嚴重者需要住院監測肝功能。經治療絕大多數人都可以完全康復。

 如何預防?

 1.不要與感染者密切接觸或共用生活用品。

 2.改變不良飲食習慣。不喝生水、不生食海產品，尤其對一些能富集甲肝病毒的毛蚶等海、水產品，食用時一定要煮熟蒸透，杜絕生吃、半生吃以及醃製後直接食用。

 3.養成良好的衛生習慣，注意個人衛生，飯前便後要洗手，把住「病從口入」關。

 4.接種甲肝疫苗是預防甲肝有效的方法。

 出現體溫升高並伴有乏力、厭食、噁心、嘔吐、黃疸等症狀的人，應及時到醫院就診，以便早診斷、早報告、早隔離、早治療。

 

Understanding Hepatitis A 瞭解甲型病毒性肝炎（點擊看全文）