When To Call a Doctor

Contact a doctor 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 doctor 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 doctor 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 doctor 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.