How is hepatitis A treated?

Hepatitis A can be managed as follows:

Home

- Bed-rest, if the person feels unwell enough. If there is no fever, normal activities can be continued.

- A temperature of greater than 39 degrees Celsius can be treated with paracetamol, but use with caution because this drug is usually processed by the liver and this ability will be impaired in a person with viral hepatitis.

- A regular diet can be followed. If their appetite is poor, then fruit juice and other liquids should be encouraged.

- Avoid alcohol.

Medical treatments
There is no effective treatment available to treat an acute hepatitis (a new infection), recovery being dependent on the person's own immune response to the virus infection.

Any complications might require medical treatment in hospital.