Hepatitis A: When To Call A Doctor

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When To Call a Doctor

Contact a health professional immediately if a person diagnosed with hepatitis A develops severe dehydration (caused by vomiting and an inability to hold down fluids) or any signs of rapidly developing liver failure, which include:

• Extreme irritability (greater than would be expected when a person is ill).
• Impaired ability to think clearly or reason.
• Extreme drowsiness.
• Loss of consciousness.
• Swelling of the face, hands, feet, ankles, legs, arms, or abdomen (edema).
• Bleeding from the nose, mouth, or rectum (including blood in stools), or under the skin.

Call a health professional today if:

• Any of the signs or symptoms of hepatitis A develop. For more information, see the Symptoms section of this topic.
• Someone in your household has been diagnosed with hepatitis A.
• You have eaten in a restaurant or any other dining facility known to be the source of an outbreak of hepatitis A.
• A child or another family member has been in a day care center or another institution where a hepatitis A outbreak has occurred.
• Your sex partner has been diagnosed with hepatitis A.
• You are planning a trip to a foreign country or have any other reason to believe you should be vaccinated against hepatitis A. Plan for vaccination 6 months before travel, if possible. If time is running short, getting vaccinated at least 1 month before travel offers some protection, and 2 weeks before travel may also be helpful.³

Watchful Waiting

Watchful waiting, or surveillance, is not advised if you think you have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus (HAV) or if you have symptoms of the illness.

It is important to see a health professional when symptoms develop, because all forms of viral hepatitis have similar symptoms. Only a blood test can determine whether you have hepatitis A or another hepatitis virus. A health professional also can advise you about how to prevent the spread of hepatitis A.

Who To See

Most of the time, the following health professionals can diagnose and treat hepatitis A:

• Family medicine doctor
• Pediatrician
• Internist
• Nurse practitioner
• Physician assistant

If complications develop, you may need care from:

• A gastroenterologist.
• A liver specialist (hepatologist).
• An infectious disease specialist.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment

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Last updated:	November 16, 2006
Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, W. Thomas London, MD - Hepatology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman