How To

How to Diagnose Hepatitis A

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, most often caused by a viral infection. There are three types of hepatitis, categorized as A, B and C. Hepatitis A is highly infectious and can be transmitted sexually or in poor sanitary conditions, mostly the result of contact with infected fecal matter. There are a few tests that help a doctor diagnose hepatitis A.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

Take a complete physical history and examination of the patient. Recent sexual activity or a trip to a foreign country with unsanitary conditions, along with symptoms or signs of hepatitis A, such as jaundice, fever and fatigue, will help diagnose this disease.
Step 2

Test the patient's blood for the presence of IgM anti-HAV (hepatitis A virus) antibodies that should confirm hepatitis A. Verifying these antibodies rules out the other types of hepatitis, B and C.
Step 3

Conduct a thorough examination of the liver if further confirmation is needed, or to determine the extent of damage to the liver. Check levels of liver enzymes, liver proteins and billirubin. Take a liver biopsy, if necessary.
Step 4

Use advanced tests such as ultrasound, CT scan and/or MRI of the liver to further assess the condition of the liver and to confirm the diagnosis of hepatitis A.

Tips & Warnings

Symptoms of hepatitis A may not manifest until weeks or months after infection.
Positive results of blood tests, which find the HAV antibodies in the blood, can indicate either a current or a past infection. Further tests are needed to determine if the disease is present.
Do not attempt to diagnose hepatitis A based on symptoms alone. It is not possible to differentiate between the types of hepatitis based on symptoms only.

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