HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Can Hepatitis A Remain Asymptomatic For 4 Years In Women?

default
Posted on Fri, 14 Aug 2015
Question: I was recently diagnosed with hepatitis A. Quite alarming to say the least. I traveled to south XXXXXXX 4 yrs ago, so my question is can I have had this in my system for all this time? And due to the fact that I have very severe joint pain all over, what could this possibly be?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (28 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
not from 4 year old exposure

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I am sorry that this has happened to your. Hepatitis A is an acute illness. The incubation period (time from exposure to manifestation of symptoms) is on average 28 days and can be from 15-50 days but not years. It is transmitted through the fecal oral route meaning that someone with the infection contaminated your food or water with fecal matter. This most often happens when a food worker with hepatitis A does not wash their hands after using the bathroom. Most exposures are through food or drinking water.
All forms of hepatitis may result in joint pains.
The good news is that hepatitis A usually resolves on its own without treatment and after the acute symptoms are over the joint pains should resolve as well.
I hope you are feeling better soon,
Dr. Robinson
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Kathy Robinson

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1989

Answered : 3535 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Can Hepatitis A Remain Asymptomatic For 4 Years In Women?

Brief Answer: not from 4 year old exposure Detailed Answer: Hello, I am sorry that this has happened to your. Hepatitis A is an acute illness. The incubation period (time from exposure to manifestation of symptoms) is on average 28 days and can be from 15-50 days but not years. It is transmitted through the fecal oral route meaning that someone with the infection contaminated your food or water with fecal matter. This most often happens when a food worker with hepatitis A does not wash their hands after using the bathroom. Most exposures are through food or drinking water. All forms of hepatitis may result in joint pains. The good news is that hepatitis A usually resolves on its own without treatment and after the acute symptoms are over the joint pains should resolve as well. I hope you are feeling better soon, Dr. Robinson