Children with mild hepatitis are often treated at home. Because most cases of hepatitis are caused by a virus, antibiotics are not effective. Treatment is aimed at helping the child maintain his strength so that the body's natural defences can fight the infection. The child rests in bed until fever and jaundice are gone and appetite is normal. A well-balanced diet and plenty of fluids are usually recommended.
Hospitalisation is sometimes necessary.
Almost all previously healthy children who develop hepatitis A will completely recover from the illness without long-term complications. Most symptoms of hepatitis B infection improve after 6 to 8 weeks, but it usually takes 3 to 4 months for results of laboratory tests to return to normal. A small percentage of persons with hepatitis B or C may also become lifelong carriers of these viruses and can spread them to other people. These individuals should ask their doctors about precautions they can take to prevent infecting others.