Diagnosis of Hepatitis A The diagnosis of hepatitis A is primarily clinical, supported by blood tests that confirm infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV).
Many people start feeling tired, sick to their stomach, have belly pain, and a mild fever. These signs can make it easy to think it is another virus or stomach problem. But when yellow skin appears, and there is a risk of exposure or recent travel, doctors should think about hepatitis A and start simple tests right away.
Taking Medical History for Diagnosis of Hepatitis A
Doctors first ask about recent travel to places where hepatitis A is common. They also ask if the person has been around anyone with hepatitis A or eaten food or water that could have been dirty. Other risks include living in crowded homes, working with food, going to day-care, or certain sexual activities.
Doctors also ask about:
- When the symptoms started.
- If the skin turned yellow or urine became dark.
- Any recent stomach problems.
- Other liver problems.
- Vaccination history.
During the check-up, doctors look for signs of liver swelling. They check for yellow skin or eyes, a tender and bigger liver, pale poop, and dark pee. These signs make doctors more sure, but they always confirm it with simple lab tests.
Using Blood Tests in the Diagnosis of Hepatitis A
The main test is a blood test to check for certain antibodies made by the body to fight the virus. These include:
- IgM anti-HAV: This shows up early, stays for 3 to 6 months, and proves a new or recent infection.
- IgG anti-HAV: This comes later and stays forever. It shows the person had hepatitis A before or got the vaccine. It does not show current infection.
Only the IgM test should be used to make sure it is an active case of hepatitis A. Using only IgG can cause mistakes since it shows protection, not sickness.
Liver Tests Help With Diagnosis of Hepatitis A
Along with antibody tests, doctors also check how much the liver is hurting. They look at:
- ALT and AST: These go very high if the liver is hurt.
- Bilirubin: This makes the skin and eyes yellow. It also causes dark pee and pale poop.
- ALP and GGT: These may go up if bile cannot flow well.
- Albumin and INR: These show how well the liver is making proteins. If very low, the liver may be failing and quick help is needed.
Most people with simple hepatitis A get diagnosed easily and need only basic care. But, if signs are strange or very bad, doctors may do more tests. They may also use:
- Abdominal ultrasound: This checks for other causes like gallstones or liver lumps.
- Complete blood count: This checks white blood cells, which may be low in viral illness.
- Clotting test: This checks if the blood takes too long to clot, which shows liver trouble.
When Diagnosis of Hepatitis A Needs Extra Testing
Doctors test for other illnesses if the signs are not clear. This can include hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Epstein-Barr virus, CMV, or liver disease from the immune system. This extra testing is helpful when signs are strange, liver problems already exist, or there is no known risk of hepatitis A.
In very rare times, mostly in older people or those with other liver issues, hepatitis A can cause liver failure. Signs of this include worse yellow skin, confusion, bleeding, or signs of body failure. If doctors think liver failure is happening, they send the person to a special liver hospital. Blood tests show:
- Very high ALT and AST
- Very slow clotting
- Low albumin
- High ammonia
Diagnosis of Hepatitis A in Public Health
Hepatitis A diagnosis is also important for public health. Doctors must report it to health officials. Health teams may trace people who had contact, send out warnings, and give shots or immune medicine to protect others.
In children, signs may be very light or not show at all, but they can still spread the virus. Testing is helpful when many people around them get sick.
Why Diagnosis of Hepatitis A Must Be Accurate
New tools and lab machines now help find hepatitis A faster and more accurately. But doctors must always look at both the test results and the person’s history. This way they avoid wrong results.
To sum up, the diagnosis of hepatitis A means spotting the signs, checking for risks, and using blood and liver tests. A quick and clear diagnosis helps the person get the right care. It also stops more people from getting sick with hepatitis A
