In other words, there is auto-immune destruction. Virtually all previously healthy patients recover from HAV infection with no after effects. If a lot of liver tissue is destroyed, scarring occurs and is called cirrhosis. Alcohol can produce the same end result. Usually the illness will last a few weeks or months and you will be infectious to others for 3 weeks or longer, as long as the virus is present.
Supportive treatment is a high calorie diet, tolerated best in the morning.
Avoidance of alcohol is important. Remember sexual activity can spread the disease for 3 to 5 weeks. If you have hepatitis A or E, you should not prepare food because the virus is in the stool and contaminates your hands. Specific treatment can be immunologic or by antiviral compounds. This is a beginning.