Public - Hepatitis A - Patient Education

Hepatitis A

Author: Catherine M. Dentinger, FNP, MS; Brian J. McMahon, MD, MACP
Editorial changes - 2009-11-04
Author information and module status



		Prevention
		Screening
		Diagnosis
		Consultation for Diagnosis
		Hospitalization
		Non-drug Therapy
		Drug Therapy
		Patient Education
		Consultation for Management
		Follow-up

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Patient Education
Emphasize the need for preventing HAV transmission to close contacts of persons with acute HAV infection. Provide persons with hepatitis A with information to decrease the risk of dehydration and further damage to the liver. Provide persons with hepatitis A with information regarding disease monitoring and worsening symptoms.

Emphasize the need for preventing HAV transmission to close contacts of persons with acute HAV infection.
Inform persons with acute hepatitis A that their close contacts need to receive hepatitis A vaccine or immunoglobulin. Inform persons with hepatitis A to pay special attention to hand washing. See table Recommended Doses of Immunoglobulin for Hepatitis A Preexposure and Postexposure Prophylaxis. See table Postexposure Immunoprophylaxis for Prevention of HAV Infection.
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Provide persons with hepatitis A with information to decrease the risk of dehydration and further damage to the liver.
Advise patients to: Avoid alcohol Maintain adequate hydration and nutrition Avoid herbal or nutritional supplements Avoid the use of acetaminophen
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Provide persons with hepatitis A with information regarding disease monitoring and worsening symptoms.
Advise patients to return to the clinic for: Severe nausea and vomiting Mental status changes Unexplained bruising or bleeding Increasing fever
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FAQs

Brian J. McMahon, MD, MACP has no financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies, biomedical device manufacturers, or health-care related organizations. Catherine M. Dentinger, FNP, MS has no financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies, biomedical device manufacturers, or health-care related organizations.
Steven E. Weinberger, MD, FACP, Acting Editor, PIER, has stock holdings in Glaxosmithkline and Abbott.

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