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Hepatitis A - Management
What investigations should I do?
- Hepatitis screen
- Screening for hepatitis usually tests for past or present infection with hepatitis A, B, or C.
- In some geographical areas, hepatitis A may not be routinely included during hepatitis screening for people above a certain age. Therefore, if hepatitis A is suspected, this should be stated on the request form.
- Liver function tests
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels are greatly increased (usually higher than 1000 IU/L).
- Bilirubin may be elevated (up to 500 micromoles/L).
- Test results return to normal within 12 months.
- Prothrombin time
- May be prolonged. Prolongation by 5 seconds or more suggests hepatic decompensation is developing, and requires admission.
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