Hepatitis A

About This Disease

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). The disease can range from a mild illness lasting 1 to 2 weeks to a severe illness lasting for several months. HAV is found in the stool of people with hepatitis A infection and is usually spread through close personal/sexual contact or by consuming contaminated food or water.

Signs and Symptoms

Some people with hepatitis A have no symptoms of the disease. Adults and older children are more likely to have symptoms than children younger than age 6 years. If symptoms develop, they may include:

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Dark urine
  • Clay‐colored stools
  • Joint pain
  • Jaundice (a yellowing of the skin or eyes)

If symptoms occur, they usually appear about 4 weeks after close contact with someone who has Hepatitis A or after consuming contaminated food or water but can occur as early as 2 and as late as 7 weeks after exposure. Symptoms usually last less than 2 months, although some people can be ill for as long as 6 months.

Transmission

Hepatitis A is spread from person to person through the fecal‐oral route [i.e. ingestion of something that has been contaminated by the feces (or stool) of an infected person]. Infection can result from close personal contact with a household member or sex partner who has Hepatitis A.

Hepatitis A can also be spread by consuming food or water contaminated with the stool of an infected person.

A person with Hepatitis A is most infectious during the 1 to 2 weeks before the onset of symptoms until at least 1 week after the onset of jaundice.

Diagnosis

Hepatitis A is diagnosed by a combination of symptoms, physical signs, and laboratory tests. People with symptoms of Hepatitis A or who have been exposed to someone with Hepatitis A should contact a healthcare provider immediately.

Treatment

There is no special treatment for Hepatitis A. Doctors usually recommend rest, adequate nutrition, and fluids.  Most people with Hepatitis A will feel sick for a few months before they begin to feel better. Some people will need to be hospitalized. People with Hepatitis A should check with a health care professional before taking any prescription pills, supplements, or over‐the‐counter medications, which can potentially damage the liver. Alcohol should be avoided.

Prevention

The best way to prevent Hepatitis A is through vaccination. The Hepatitis A vaccine is given as 2 shots, 6 months apart and is highly effective in preventing Hepatitis A infection.  Both shots are needed for long-term protection.

Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for:

  • All children at age 1 year
  • Travelers (aged 6 months and older) to countries where Hepatitis A is common
  • Family members or caregivers of adoptees from countries where Hepatitis A is common
  • Men who have sexual encounters with other men
  • Users of recreational drugs, whether injected or not
  • Persons (aged 1 year and older) with unstable housing or experiencing homelessness
  • People with chronic or long-term liver disease, including Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C
  • Persons with clotting factor disorders
  • People who work with Hepatitis A infected animals or in a Hepatitis A research laboratory
  • People with direct contact with others who have Hepatitis A
  • Anyone wishing to obtain protection from Hepatitis A

If you are not protected against Hepatitis A and are exposed to someone with the disease, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Administration of the Hepatitis A vaccine or Immune globulin (IG) [a substance made from human blood plasma that contains antibodies that protect against infection and provides short‐term protection] may help to prevent infection with Hepatitis A disease if given within the first two weeks after exposure.

Good hygiene, including handwashing after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before preparing or eating food, plays an important role in preventing Hepatitis A disease.