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What is hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a liver disease that is easily spread from person to person (highly contagious). It is caused by the hepatitis A virus.

Hepatitis is a redness or swelling (inflammation) of the liver that sometimes causes lasting damage. Hepatitis A is one type of hepatitis.

In most cases, hepatitis A does not cause a long-term or chronic infection. But it can take some time to fully get well. You may be sick for a few weeks, but it may take up to 6 months to fully recover.

In some cases hepatitis A can cause severe liver damage.

What causes hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is usually spread when the virus is taken in by mouth. This happens when you have contact with objects, food, or drinks that are contaminated by the stool of an infected person.

This may happen through person to person contact such as:

            When an infected person doesn’t wash their hands well after going to the bathroom and touches other objects or food

            When a parent or caregiver doesn’t wash their hands well after changing diapers or cleaning up the stool of someone who is infected

            When you have sex with someone who is infected

This can also happen if you:

            Eat food made by someone who touched infected stool

            Drink water that is contaminated by infected stool (a problem in developing countries)

In rare cases, the virus may also be spread by contamination from blood and other body fluids (blood-borne infection).  

In most cases, normal contact in school or at work won’t spread the virus.

Who is at risk for hepatitis A?

You may be at high risk for hepatitis A if you travel to places where the virus is common. These places include:

            Africa

            Asia (except Japan)

            The Mediterranean basin

            Eastern Europe

            The Middle East

            Central and South America

            Mexico

            Parts of the Caribbean

You may also be at high risk if you:

            Are living in or moving to a place in the US or another country that has had 1 or more recorded large numbers of hepatitis A cases, or outbreaks, in the past 5years

            Are in the military

            Have unsafe sex  

            Use illegal IV (intravenous) drugs

            Have a blood disorder such as hemophilia, and need to take blood treatments

            Work at a daycare center

            Work in a nursing home, prison, or other type of care facility

            Are a lab worker who handles live hepatitis A virus

            Handle monkeys or apes (primates) that may have the hepatitis A virus

Hepatitis A is sometimes called a traveler's disease. It is a very common disease for travelers. But you can also get infected with hepatitis A in the U.S. In some cases people in the U.S. have gotten the virus without having any risk factors.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis A?

Symptoms of hepatitis A often look like flu symptoms. Each person’s symptoms may vary. Symptoms may include:

            Fever

            Chills

            Joint pain

            Extreme tiredness (fatigue)

            Overall feeling of weakness

            Loss of appetite

            Upset stomach or nausea

            Vomiting

            Belly or abdominal pain

            Dark urine

            Clay-colored stools

            Yellowish skin and eyes (jaundice)

            Diarrhea

Some adults have no symptoms. Most children have no symptoms, especially children under 6 years old.

Hepatitis A symptoms can look like other health problems. Always see your healthcare provider to be sure.

How is hepatitis A diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will give you a physical exam and ask about your past health.

A blood test called IgM anti-HAV is needed to be sure you have hepatitis A. This test looks for any infection-fighting cells (antibodies) you may have against the hepatitis A virus in your blood. If these antibodies are in your blood, that means you have had an infection.

How is hepatitis A treated?

Your healthcare provider will create a care plan for you based on:

            Your age, overall health, and past health

            How serious your case is

            How well you handle certain medicines, treatments, or therapies

            If your condition is expected to get worse

            What you would like to do

Most people with hepatitis A get better without any medical care. In some cases bed rest and some medicines may be needed.

What are the complications of hepatitis A?

In rare cases hepatitis A may cause liver failure.

What can I do to prevent hepatitis A?

To help stop the spread of hepatitis A, it is important to have good personal health (hygiene) habits and avoid any risky behaviors. Wash your hands often after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, or before making food.

In addition, there are 2 shots that can help protect you from hepatitis A:

            Immune globulin shot (injection). This shot is a mix of infection-fighting cells or antibodies. You can have the shot before you may be exposed to the virus, such as before you travel. You can also have the shot soon after you have been exposed to the virus.

            Hepatitis A vaccine. This vaccine is made from whole, killed hepatitis A virus. It does not have a live virus, so you can’t get hepatitis from it. The vaccine helps to get your body's natural infection-fighting system (immune system) working. After you have the shot, your body makes antibodies that protect you against the virus.

The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for anyone who wants it. The vaccine is very important for people who are at risk for infection such as:

            People traveling to or working in countries with medium to high rates of hepatitis A

            All children 1 year old

            Men who have sex with men

            People who use illegal drugs

            People whose jobs make them at risk for the disease

            People with long-term (chronic) liver disease

            People with bleeding disorders (clotting-factor disorders) such as hemophilia

Living with hepatitis A

Symptoms of hepatitis A can last from a few weeks to a few months. Follow your healthcare provider’s advice on how to treat and manage hepatitis A.

When you have hepatitis A it’s very important to:

            Have a healthy diet

            Get plenty of rest

            Take any medicines your healthcare provider has recommended

            Not drink alcohol

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Call your healthcare provider if your symptoms don’t go away as soon as expected. Also call if your symptoms go away and then come back.

Key points

            Hepatitis A is a liver disease that is easily spread from person to person (highly contagious). It is caused by the hepatitis A virus.

            In most cases it doesn’t cause a long-term or chronic infection.

            In some cases it can cause severe liver damage.

            Hepatitis A is usually spread when you have contact with objects, food, or drinks that are contaminated by the stool of an infected person.

            Symptoms of hepatitis A can look like flu symptoms.

            Some adults have no symptoms. Most children have no symptoms.

            A blood test called IgM anti-HAV is needed to be sure you have hepatitis A.

            You may be at high risk if you travel to places where the virus is common.

            Other high risk factors include using illegal drugs, having unsafe sex, and working in a daycare center or nursing home.

            Most people recover without any medical care.

            You can help prevent it by getting an immune globulin shot or the hepatitis A vaccine.

            All children 1 year old should have the hepatitis A vaccine.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

            Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.

            Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.

            At the visit, write down the names of new medicines, treatments, or tests, and any new instructions your provider gives you.

            If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.

        Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.