What is hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A (hep A) is a contagious virus that affects the liver. Hep A can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting months. The virus is one of several types of hepatitis viruses that cause inflammation and affect your liver's ability to function properly.
What are the symptoms of hepatitis A? |
Symptoms of hepatitis A appear from 15 to 50 days after coming in contact with the virus, but most often occur within 30 days. Symptoms may include fever, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, feeling generally unwell (malaise), yellow skin and eyes (jaundice), pale stools and dark urine. Young children may not show any symptoms. The disease can be more severe in adults, especially those with other health conditions affecting their immune system, including liver disease. If you think you have symptoms of hepatitis A, it is important to see your health care provider and not attend work, school or child care while ill. |
How does someone get hepatitis A? |
Hepatitis A can be spread from one person to another person by the fecal-oral route. This means that feces (stool) from a person who is infected with hepatitis A must get into the mouth of another person for the infection to spread. This can happen many different ways, such as:
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How do I get tested for hepatitis A? |
A blood test is used to diagnose hep A. This blood test can reveal if an individual currently has hep A, has had hep A in the past (resolved) or has previously received the vaccine. |
What is the treatment for hepatitis A? |
There is no medication to treat hepatitis A. Most people are sick for about 1 to 2 weeks and then recover, while others may develop more serious illness. It is important to see your healthcare provider if you think you might be sick with hepatitis A. After recovering from the illness, a person is considered immune and protected against hepatitis A in the future. |
How do I protect myself from hepatitis A? |
There are many ways that you can protect yourself and others from a hepatitis A infection:
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How do I practice safer sex? |
For more information: https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-topics/sexual-health-clinic.aspx |
How do I practice safer drug use? |
For more information: https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-topics/sexual-health-clinic.aspx |
For more information:
- Canadian Liver Foundation - www.liver.ca, or call 1-800-563-5483
- Health Canada www.phac-aspc.gc.ca
- www.catie.ca (Canada’s source of HIV and hepatitis C information) or call their toll-free telephone line at 1-800-236-1638
- Call the Sexual Health Infoline Ontario at 1-800-668-2437 if you have questions or need help.
Sexual Health Clinic
179 Clarence St,
Ottawa. ON K1N5P7
613-234-4641 | TTY: 613-580-9656
The Site Harm Reduction Program
Site Office (Needle & Syringe and Supervised Consumption Services)
179 Clarence St
Ottawa. ON K1N5P7
613-580-2424 ext. 29047
9am-9pm daily
Site Van- Mobile harm reduction services
5pm-11:30pm daily
613-232-3232 (collect calls accepted)
Visit Harm Reduction Services In Ottawa for more information on local resources
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