Hepatitis A
The liver helps fight infections and removes harmful substances from the blood. Hepatitis A is a viral infection that makes the liver swell and prevents it from working correctly. Symptoms for hepatitis A, B and C are similar and include flu-like symptoms, yellow skin and eyes, or no symptoms at all. People who may have hepatitis A should visit the doctor for a blood test.
Internet Resources
MedlinePlus: Hepatitis A
(http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/hepatitisa.html)
Developed by the National Library of Medicine specifically for consumers, this site is a portal for both government-sponsored and privately developed health information for the lay public. It includes links to overviews, research and organizations for people with Hepatitis A.
National Center for Infectious Diseases: Viral Hepatitis A
(http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/a/index.htm)
The National Center for Infectious Diseases provides facts on hepatitis A, answers to frequently asked questions, and educational material on this topic. Frequently used terms associated with hepatitis A are also defined in a helpful glossary located on this site.
What I Need to Know about Hepatitis A
(http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hepa_ez/)
This easy-to-read site from the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse gives a basic overview of hepatitis A and is presented in a clear and understandable manner.
Books
- Hepatitis A. Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. 4th ed. Vol. 3: 2072-2076. Lutwick L. 2011. . Available in print at the Health Learning Center or online at http://www.nmh.org/nm/health library virtual library.
Videos
- Northwestern Memorial Hospital Mini-Med School: The Liver. Disc #3 - Hepatitis. 2005.
- Respect Yourself, Protect Yourself: Teens Talk to Teens About Liver Wellness. 1998.
Models
- The Liver
Support
Hepatitis Foundation International
504 Blick Drive Silver Spring, MD 20904,
1-800-891-0707
Contact Us
For more information, please contact the Health Learning Center at 312-926-5465 or HLC@nmh.org.