Smokers may lose their taste for cigarettes. Your doctor will talk to you about when and how your symptoms developed. He or she will examine your skin, eyes, and especially your abdomen to see if your liver is enlarged or tender. The doctor will use urine, stool, and blood tests to diagnose your condition. The usual treatment is bed rest, a balanced diet, and avoiding alcohol for at least 6 months.
Hospitalization is required only for more serious cases.
Antibiotics are not useful in treating hepatitis. Recovery from hepatitis A usually takes 4 to 8 weeks. The disease rarely has lasting effects such as permanent liver damage. Hepatitis that lasts more than 6 months usually isn't caused by hepatitis A infection. See your physician to confirm the diagnosis and to learn how to avoid infecting others.