Hepatitis A virus testing service, along with consultation and proper treatment.
What is hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is an infection caused by a member of the picornavirus family that can lead to hepatitis. The symptoms can range from mild to severe.
How can hepatitis A be transmitted?
Most people infected with hepatitis A get the infection from eating food or drinks that are contaminated with hepatitis A. It can also be transmitted through sexual intercourse, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM) or men and women engaging in anal sex.
What symptoms do people infected with hepatitis A experience?
After being exposed to the hepatitis A virus, the average incubation period for hepatitis A is 28 days before symptoms appear.
The most common symptoms of hepatitis A include:
- High fever
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach ache
- Liquid stool
- Dark urine
- Gray stools
- Joint pain and jaundice.
Hepatitis A can be cured with supportive treatment. Various symptoms will improve within 2 months. Hepatitis A is not classified as chronic hepatitis like hepatitis B and C. People who have previously been infected with hepatitis A will not be able to get it again.
How can hepatitis A be screened?
Screening for hepatitis A can be done by testing for antibodies to hepatitis A or Anti-HAV. Anti-HAV IgG or Anti-HAV IgM can be detected in the blood if there is already a hepatitis A infection. Anti-HAV IgG and/or Anti-HAV IgM results will be positive.
How can hepatitis A be prevented and treated?
Hepatitis A infection can be prevented by consuming clean water and eating heat-cooked foods. There is also a vaccination against hepatitis A infection, which builds immunity and is very effective in providing protection.
The vaccine against hepatitis A infection can be given to individuals of all genders and ages. Vaccination against hepatitis A infection can be started at 12 months of age. The effectiveness of the vaccine in preventing hepatitis A infection is highest when three doses are given within 6 months.
Before getting vaccinated against hepatitis A infection, it is recommended to test for immunity to hepatitis A first. If you are already immune to hepatitis A, vaccination against hepatitis A infection is not recommended.
Hepatitis A Screening Service at PSK Clinic
At PSK Clinic, we primarily use blood tests for hepatitis A screening. These tests can detect Anti-HAV IgG and/or Anti-HAV IgM, which help diagnose hepatitis A infection. We also recommend considering the hepatitis A vaccine as a preventive measure.
Preparation steps
- Consult with a doctor for diagnosis and information about examination and treatment procedures.
- The doctor will take a blood sample for laboratory testing, which will only take 15-20 minutes.
- You will receive the results of the laboratory tests 3-5 days after your doctor’s appointment.
