Usually when children get hepatitis A, they have no symptoms. Symptoms can include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, achiness, fatigue and loss of appetite. A blood test will reveal that liver function tests are abnormally high. Abdominal pain or tenderness is often experienced. Jaundice will often occur, causing a temporary yellowing of the skin and eyes, a darkening of the urine and lightening of the stool.
Symptoms usually end after two weeks, but continued rest is very important to avoid a relapse.
Once you have had hepatitis A, it is very unusual to get it again. Your doctor can test to see if you have developed antibodies for hepatitis A, which means that you cannot usually get it again. However, you can become infected with other hepatitis viruses. If you are living with someone who has hepatitis A, the use of separate dishes, glasses and utensils is not necessary as long as everything is washed with hot water. Although there is no treatment for hepatitis A, discomfort may be relieved somewhat by rest and proper nutrition.