HEPATITIS A IS NOT A DANGEROUS DISEASE, IS IT TRUE?

When hearing the term hepatitis A, many people may immediately imagine a dangerous and difficult-to-cure liver disease.

sofyanto

October 05, 2025

What is Hepatitis A?

This type of disease is a mild health problem because it doesn't cause long-term infection compared to hepatitis B and C.

This disease is generally acute and lasts for a few months and can then resolve without causing permanent liver damage.

However, hepatitis A should not be taken lightly, as it can cause severe symptoms in the elderly or those with weakened immune systems.

How Hepatitis A is Transmitted

One thing that distinguishes hepatitis A from other types of hepatitis is that it is transmitted through the fecal-oral route. This means the virus enters the human body through food and drink that has been exposed to the virus from a previous sufferer.

Here are some examples of transmission routes:

Consuming food prepared with contaminated water
Consuming raw shellfish or seafood from waters contaminated with the virus
Failing to wash hands with soap after defecating
Physical contact with someone who has hepatitis
Symptoms of a hepatitis A attack

The attack appears 2 to 7 weeks after someone is infected with the virus. Interestingly, children who suffer from hepatitis A don't show any symptoms at all. In contrast, in adults, the symptoms are as obvious as a hot day. Symptoms include:

Mild fever
Excessive fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
Upper abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
Dark urine
Chocolate-colored stools
Yellowing of the skin and eyes

These symptoms can last for several weeks or even up to 3 months, which can be uncomfortable. However, the good news is that most sufferers eventually recover completely, as this is a benign disease.

The Differences Between Each Type of Hepatitis

There are five main types of hepatitis: A, B, C, D, and E. Of these, only hepatitis A is the mildest because it doesn't cause chronic infection.

Hepatitis B and C can progress to cirrhosis, liver cancer, or liver failure. Meanwhile, hepatitis D and E have different transmission routes and carry a higher risk under certain conditions.

In other words, hepatitis A is a disease that can be effectively prevented, including the following methods:

1. Hepatitis A Vaccination

Doctors highly recommend this vaccine for children, travelers to endemic areas, and people at high risk of exposure to the virus.

2. Maintain Personal Hygiene

Washing your hands with soap before eating, after using the toilet, or after traveling is a simple step to prevent hepatitis virus transmission.

3. Consume hygienic food and drinks

Ensure food is thoroughly cooked and drinking water is clean. Avoid eating raw food from sources of unknown hygiene.

4. Maintain environmental sanitation

Providing clean water and a proper waste disposal system can prevent the spread of the hepatitis virus in the community. Therefore, the surrounding environment must always be clean to keep us free from the threat of the hepatitis virus.

Hepatitis Treatment Steps

To confirm a diagnosis of hepatitis A, doctors usually perform a blood test to detect antibodies to the HAV virus.

There is no specific treatment that can kill the hepatitis virus, but the human body usually fights the virus naturally.

Hepatitis treatment focuses primarily on supportive care, including:

Getting enough rest
Consuming a balanced, nutritious diet
Avoiding alcohol and drugs that damage the liver
Drinking plenty of water

Conclusion

Most experts agree that hepatitis A is known as a relatively mild disease, but that doesn't mean we can ignore it. This disease can still reduce a person's quality of life and disrupt daily activities.

By always maintaining personal hygiene, eating hygienic food, and getting vaccinated, we can prevent the virus from spreading early.