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Although HAV is excreted in the feces towards the end of the incubation period, specific diagnosis is made by the detection of HAV-specific IgM antibodies in the blood. IgM antibody is only present in the blood following an acute hepatitis A infection. It is detectable from one to two weeks after the initial infection and persists for up to 14 weeks. The presence of IgG antibody in the blood means that the acute stage of the illness is past and the person is immune to further infection. IgG antibody to HAV is also found in the blood following vaccination and tests for immunity to the virus are based on the detection of this antibody.

During the acute stage of the infection, the liver enzyme alanine transferase (ALT) is present in the blood at levels much higher than is normal. The enzyme comes from the liver cells that have been damaged by the virus.

Hepatitis A virus is present in the blood, (viremia), and feces of infected people up to two weeks before clinical illness develops.

Blood tests are used to detect the presence of hepatitis A in your body. A sample of blood is taken, usually from a vein in your arm, and sent to a laboratory for testing. Your doctor may also discuss your signs and symptoms as part of making a diagnosis.

Making a diagnosis of hepatitis A includes performing a complete medical evaluation and history and physical examination. This includes questions about risk factors for contracting hepatitis A, such as living in or travelling to places with poor sanitation.

Diagnostic blood tests include tests that can check for the antibodies that the body makes to fight hepatitis A. Liver function tests are blood tests that can help to determine the level of severity of hepatitis A by checking level of functioning of the liver and if there is any damage to the liver. Imaging tests that create a picture of the liver include an ultrasound, CT, and/or a nuclear liver scan.

It is possible that a diagnosis of hepatitis A can be missed or delayed because symptoms can be vague or there may be no symptoms in some people. In addition, symptoms of hepatitis A can be similar to symptoms of other diseases and conditions. For more information about diseases and conditions that can mimic hepatitis A, refer to misdiagnosis of hepatitis A.

There is no cure for Hepatitis A, and treatment simply includes rest and ensuring good nutrition. For serious cases, especially if there is liver damage or liver failure, hospitalization may be necessary. Treatment in the hospital may include medications and other diagnostic testing and treatment. For more information on treatment, refer to treatment of hepatitis A.

Many people still confuse how to diagnose hepatitis A virus, or where we can do hepatitis A diagnosis tests. A complete medical history and physical examination provide valuable information about your signs and symptoms, and it is likely that you have been exposed to HAV Hepatitis A Virus (HAV). While taking a medical history, your hepatitis A physician doctor will ask you where you have traveled, if you work or have a child in kindergarten, and if you live with a person known to have contracted hepatitis A.

If you have been exposed to hepatitis A, you have blood tests to study liver function and see if your liver is damaged or inflamed. Hepatitis A diagnosis like blood tests to study liver function include :
- The Bilirubin. When bilirubin accumulates in the blood, may indicate hepatitis disease.
- Albumin. Below normal levels may indicate hepatitis or other liver problems.
- Prothrombin time, a blood test that measures the time it takes for blood to clot. A prothrombin time may be caused by disease or liver disease.

Blood tests in hepatitis A diagnosis may be performed to determine if the liver is damaged or inflamed include :

1.Alanine aminotransferase (ALT). When the liver is damaged or diseased, ALT is released into the bloodstream, causing levels of the enzyme increased.
2.Aspartate aminotransferase (AST). When damaged tissues or organs like the heart or liver, AST is released into the bloodstream. The amount of AST in the blood is directly related to the degree of tissue damage.
3.Alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Large amounts of alkaline phosphatase in the blood can indicate liver damage.
4.Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH). Many diseases can cause elevations in the level of LDH. In addition to proof of DHL, the doctor usually will run more tests to confirm a diagnosis of hepatitis A.

If the hepatitis A diagnosis tests show that the liver is inflamed, you have an antibody (anti-HAV) test on a sample of his blood. The presence of antibodies against HAV indicates that HAV infection is the most likely cause of hepatitis. If test results show that anti-HAV hepatitis A does not multiply in your body, your doctor may do other blood tests to determine if hepatitis virus hepatitis B, hepatitis C or Epstein -Barr virus (which causes infectious mononucleosis, or mono) is the cause of his hepatitis.

Early Detection of Hepatitis A Virus

If you suspect that you have been exposed to the virus and have not been vaccinated or infected, contact your doctor. If you take hepatitis A diagnosis tests and receive an injection of immune globulin (IG) within 2 weeks of exposure to hepatitis, you may not have symptoms of infection with HAV.

Routine vaccination of hospital personnel, food handlers and child care workers and attendees Center does not occur at this time because the risk of infection is generally higher than the general community. However, some centers have child care workers get the shot because it works so well to prevent the disease. There are also very low likelihood of vaccine side effects. If outbreaks of HAV infection occur in these environments, people who have been exposed to the virus should receive an injection of immune globulin (IG).