Patients with AVH usually recover after four to eight weeks, even without treatment. Those with unusually severe symptoms may require hospitalization for supportive therapy such as intravenous fluids, especially during the first few days when the patient has no appetite and may get dehydrated from severe nausea and vomiting. After several days, the appetite usually returns even if the patient remains jaundiced. Severe restrictions of diet or activity are unnecessary. Most people can safely return to work after the jaundice clears, even if their liver function tests are still abnormal.
Preventive measures are essential in minimizing the spread of the hepatitis viruses.
Because hepatitis A can be spread through the stools, good hygiene is a must particularly in the handling of stool samples of infected individuals by health practitioners. The chances of infection of hepatitis B or C can be reduced by avoiding unnecessary blood transfusions. Using blood donated by relatives or friends rather than paid donors, and screening all blood donors for hepatitis B and C can also significantly reduce but not totally eliminate blood-borne transmission of these types of hepatitis. Vaccination against hepatitis B stimulates the body's defense system to produce antibodies to guard against the hepatitis B virus. Vaccination is recommended for individuals at high risk for contracting hepatitis B such as hospital and laboratory personnel.