Although there is no treatment for hepatitis A, discomfort may be relieved somewhat by rest and proper nutrition. This substance is composed of an antibody-rich blood extract taken from exposed individuals that have high levels of hepatitis A antibodies. The protection lasts for five months. The shots also can prevent or reduce symptoms when given within two to six weeks after exposure. If you think that you may have been exposed to hepatitis, talk to your doctor about getting a gamma globulin injection.
Bed rest is recommended until liver function tests return to normal.
It is important to avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids if you have diarrhea or vomiting. Two injections are given one year apart to prolong protection. The duration of protection is now known to be at least four years and may be as much as 25 years. The vaccine may also be useful as a post-exposure preventive, but further study is needed to confirm this. The vaccine's use and safety in people with HIV also remains to be determined, since it is a live inactivated vaccine.