What causes Acute Hepatitis A?

Acute Hepatitis A is caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV), which is transmitted through the fecal-oral route. You can contract HAV by consuming contaminated food or water, eating raw or undercooked shellfish from polluted waters, or having close personal contact with an infected person. The virus spreads easily in areas with poor sanitation and is particularly common in international travelers visiting regions where hepatitis A is endemic.

What is the best test for Acute Hepatitis A?

The Hepatitis A IgM Antibody test is the most important test for Acute Hepatitis A because it specifically detects IgM antibodies that your immune system produces only during an active, recent infection. When you are infected with HAV, your body creates these IgM antibodies within days, making them the definitive marker for diagnosing acute infection. For a more comprehensive evaluation, the Hepatitis Panel Acute with Ref Confirmation can test for multiple hepatitis viruses simultaneously, helping your doctor distinguish Hepatitis A from other types of acute hepatitis like Hepatitis B or C.

When should I get tested for Acute Hepatitis A?

You should get tested if you develop symptoms such as sudden fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, or yellowing of your skin and eyes (jaundice). Testing is especially important if you have recently traveled to areas with high hepatitis A rates, eaten at a restaurant linked to a hepatitis A outbreak, or had close contact with someone diagnosed with hepatitis A. Early testing allows for proper diagnosis and helps prevent spreading the virus to others.

What are the symptoms of Acute Hepatitis A?

Symptoms of Acute Hepatitis A typically appear 2 to 6 weeks after exposure and include sudden onset of fatigue, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain or discomfort (especially in the upper right side), dark-colored urine, clay-colored stools, joint pain, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes). Some people, especially young children, may have no symptoms at all despite being infected and contagious.

Who is at risk for Acute Hepatitis A?

People at higher risk for Acute Hepatitis A include international travelers to countries with high HAV rates, men who have sex with men, people who use injection or non-injection drugs, household members or sexual contacts of infected individuals, and people experiencing homelessness. Food service workers and healthcare workers may also face increased exposure risk. Additionally, people with chronic liver disease are at risk for more severe complications if they contract hepatitis A.

What happens if Acute Hepatitis A is left untreated?

While most people recover completely from Acute Hepatitis A without long-term liver damage, untreated or unmonitored cases can lead to serious complications. About 10 to 15 percent of people experience prolonged or relapsing symptoms lasting up to 6 months. In rare cases (less than 1 percent), hepatitis A can cause acute liver failure, which is life-threatening and may require a liver transplant. People with pre-existing liver conditions face significantly higher risk of severe complications, making early diagnosis and monitoring essential.

Can Acute Hepatitis A be diagnosed with a blood test?

Yes, Acute Hepatitis A can be definitively diagnosed with a blood test that detects IgM antibodies against the Hepatitis A virus. This blood test is the standard method for confirming an active HAV infection because IgM antibodies appear early in the infection and indicate recent exposure. Additional blood tests may be ordered to assess liver function and monitor how your liver is responding to the infection, including tests for liver enzymes like ALT and AST.

How is Acute Hepatitis A treated?

Acute Hepatitis A has no specific antiviral treatment, and most people recover on their own with supportive care. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and includes getting adequate rest, staying hydrated, eating small nutritious meals, and avoiding alcohol and medications that can stress the liver. Your doctor will monitor your liver function through blood tests to ensure proper recovery. In severe cases requiring hospitalization, intravenous fluids and close monitoring may be necessary to prevent complications.

How can I prevent Acute Hepatitis A?

The hepatitis A vaccine is the most effective way to prevent infection and is recommended for all children, travelers to endemic areas, and people at increased risk. You can also reduce your risk by practicing good hygiene, including thorough handwashing after using the bathroom and before preparing or eating food. Avoid consuming raw or undercooked shellfish, drink bottled or boiled water in areas with poor sanitation, and peel fruits and vegetables when traveling internationally. If exposed to someone with hepatitis A, post-exposure prophylaxis with the vaccine or immune globulin can prevent infection if given within two weeks.

What can I do at home for Acute Hepatitis A?

At home, focus on supporting your liver and immune system by getting plenty of rest and staying well-hydrated with water, herbal teas, and clear broths. Eat small, frequent meals that are easy to digest, focusing on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while avoiding fatty, fried, or processed foods. Completely avoid alcohol and limit medications, especially acetaminophen, which can further stress your liver. Use separate towels and utensils to prevent spreading the virus to family members, and practice meticulous hand hygiene, especially after using the bathroom and before food preparation.

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short: In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy! If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

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Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know. After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop! If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

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Only HSA & FSA is accepted. Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts. This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Can I cancel my order?

Yes. We get it – sometimes your needs change. As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order. If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com. You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

How can I find a lab location near me?

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp). Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Acute Hepatitis A Blood Test

What is Acute Hepatitis A?

Acute Hepatitis A is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. It is caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV), which spreads through contaminated food, water, or close contact with infected individuals. The Hepatitis A IgM Antibody test is the most important test for diagnosis because it specifically detects antibodies produced during an acute infection.

Written by Private MD Labs Medical Team

Last updated: December 29, 2025

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:

In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!

754-799-7833

support@privatemdlabs.com