What causes Hepatitis A infection?

Hepatitis A infection is caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV), which attacks and inflames the liver. The virus spreads primarily through the fecal-oral route when someone ingests food or water contaminated with HAV from an infected person. You can also contract Hepatitis A through close personal contact with an infected individual, including sexual contact, or by sharing utensils, towels, or other items with someone who has the virus.

What is the best test for Hepatitis A infection?

The Hepatitis A Antibody, Total test is the most important test for Hepatitis A infection because it detects both IgM and IgG antibodies that your immune system produces in response to the virus. When antibody levels are elevated, this confirms you have either an active or recent Hepatitis A infection, allowing your healthcare provider to distinguish it from other causes of liver inflammation. This single blood test provides reliable confirmation of Hepatitis A and helps guide appropriate treatment and prevention measures to protect others from transmission.

When should I get tested for Hepatitis A infection?

You should get tested if you develop symptoms like yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, pale stools, severe fatigue, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain, especially if you have recently traveled to areas with poor sanitation, eaten at a restaurant linked to an outbreak, or been in close contact with someone diagnosed with Hepatitis A. Early testing is essential because symptoms can take 2-7 weeks to appear after exposure, and you can spread the virus to others even before you feel sick.

What are the symptoms of Hepatitis A infection?

Hepatitis A symptoms include sudden fatigue, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain or discomfort especially in the upper right side, loss of appetite, low-grade fever, dark-colored urine, pale or clay-colored stools, joint pain, and jaundice which causes yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. Many people, particularly young children, may have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, while adults typically experience more severe illness that can last several weeks to months.

Who is at risk for Hepatitis A infection?

People at higher risk for Hepatitis A include international travelers to countries with poor sanitation, men who have sex with men, people who use recreational drugs (injection or non-injection), individuals experiencing homelessness, people with direct contact with someone who has Hepatitis A, and those who work in healthcare, food service, or childcare settings. Additionally, people with chronic liver disease face greater risk of severe complications if they contract Hepatitis A.

What happens if Hepatitis A infection is left untreated?

If left untreated or unmanaged, Hepatitis A can lead to prolonged illness lasting several months with debilitating fatigue that interferes with daily activities and work. While most people recover completely, about 10-15% experience relapsing symptoms over 6-9 months, and in rare cases, particularly in people over 50 or those with existing liver disease, Hepatitis A can cause acute liver failure requiring hospitalization or even liver transplantation. Early diagnosis through blood testing helps healthcare providers monitor your liver function and provide supportive care to prevent complications.

Can Hepatitis A infection be diagnosed with a blood test?

Yes, Hepatitis A infection is definitively diagnosed with a blood test that detects antibodies against the Hepatitis A virus. The Hepatitis A Antibody, Total test measures both IgM antibodies, which indicate a current or recent infection, and IgG antibodies, which show past infection or immunity from vaccination. This blood test is the gold standard for confirming Hepatitis A because symptoms alone cannot distinguish it from other liver conditions or viral infections.

How is Hepatitis A infection treated?

Hepatitis A treatment focuses on supportive care to help your body fight off the virus naturally, as there is no specific antiviral medication for HAV. Your healthcare provider will recommend plenty of rest, staying well-hydrated with fluids, eating small frequent meals to manage nausea, and avoiding alcohol and medications that can stress the liver. Most people recover completely within a few weeks to months, though your doctor will monitor your liver function through follow-up blood tests to ensure proper healing.

How can I prevent Hepatitis A infection?

The Hepatitis A vaccine is the most effective prevention method, providing long-lasting immunity with a two-dose series given 6-12 months apart. You can also prevent infection by practicing good hand hygiene, especially after using the bathroom and before preparing or eating food, drinking only bottled or boiled water when traveling to high-risk areas, avoiding raw or undercooked shellfish, and washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly. If you are exposed to someone with Hepatitis A, post-exposure prophylaxis with the vaccine or immune globulin within two weeks can prevent infection.

What can I do at home for Hepatitis A infection?

At home, focus on getting plenty of rest to allow your body to heal, eating small nutrient-dense meals throughout the day to combat nausea and maintain energy, staying well-hydrated with water and clear broths, and completely avoiding alcohol and unnecessary medications that can further damage your liver. You should also practice strict hygiene by washing your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom and before handling food to prevent spreading the virus to family members. Avoid preparing food for others until your healthcare provider confirms you are no longer contagious.

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short: In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy! If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

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Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

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Only HSA & FSA is accepted. Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts. This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

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Yes. We get it – sometimes your needs change. As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order. If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com. You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

How can I find a lab location near me?

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp). Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Hepatitis A Infection Blood Test

What is Hepatitis A infection?

Hepatitis A infection is a highly contagious viral liver disease that causes inflammation and damage to liver cells. It is caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV), which is typically transmitted through contaminated food, water, or close contact with infected individuals. The Hepatitis A Antibody, Total test is the most important test for diagnosis because it detects antibodies produced by your immune system in response to HAV infection.

Written by Private MD Labs Medical Team

Last updated: December 30, 2025

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:

In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!

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