Bureau of Communicable Disease

Hepatitis A Infection

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What is hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A (formerly known as infectious hepatitis) is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. The disease is fairly common, with 120 cases reported among New York City residents in 2006 (rate of 1.5 cases per 100,000 persons).

Who gets hepatitis A?

Anyone can get hepatitis A, but it occurs more often in children.

How is hepatitis A virus spread?

The hepatitis A virus enters the body through the mouth and is passed in the stool (feces). The virus can then be carried on an infected person's hands and can be spread by direct contact, or by consuming food or drink that has been handled by the individual. In some cases, it can be spread by drinking water that has been contaminated with improperly treated sewage. Sexual practices that allow oral or hand contact with stool may result in person-to-person transmission.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis A?

The symptoms of hepatitis A may include fatigue (feeling tired), poor appetite, fever and vomiting. Some people may have dark yellow urine and/or jaundice (yellowish skin and whites of the eyes). Most people get better in a few weeks without any complications. Infants and young children tend to have very mild symptoms and are less likely to develop jaundice than are older children and adults. Not everyone who is infected will have all of these symptoms. How soon after infection do symptoms appear?

The symptoms may appear two to six weeks after exposure, but usually within three to four weeks.

For how long is an infected person able to spread the virus?

The contagious period begins about 2 weeks before the symptoms appear, and ends 1 week after the person develops jaundice.

Does past infection with hepatitis A make a person immune?

Yes. Once an individual recovers from hepatitis A, he or she is immune (protected) for life and does not continue to carry the hepatitis A virus.

How is hepatitis A diagnosed?

If your doctor suspects Hepatitis A, he/she can request a blood test to check for hepatitis A antibodies.

What is the treatment for hepatitis A?

There are no special medicines or antibiotics that can be used to treat a person once the symptoms appear. Generally, bed rest and not drinking alcoholic beverages is all that is needed.

How can hepatitis A be prevented?

To prevent person-to-person spread, careful hand washing with soap and water after using the toilet or changing diapers is the single most important way to prevent infection. Avoid sexual practices that may result in hand or mouth exposure to stool (feces), such as anal sex or oral-anal contact. A medicine called gamma globulin is recommended for people who live with and/or have close personal contact with a patient with acute hepatitis A, to help prevent infection. If you travel to a country where Hepatitis A is common, use bottled water or boil tap water before using. For long-term protection, immunization is recommended. The hepatitis A vaccine has been available since 1995.

Who should obtain the new hepatitis A vaccine?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends hepatitis A vaccine for:

• • travelers to countries with high rates of hepatitis A;
• • people living in communities with high rates of hepatitis A;
• • people in certain outbreak settings;
• • laboratory personnel who work with hepatitis A virus;
• • sexually active homosexual/bisexual men;
• • people with existing chronic liver disease;
• • injecting drug users;
• • all children between the ages of 1 and 2

The hepatitis A vaccine may also be used to help stop the spread of infection when there is an outbreak. Although studies of certain job-related groups (for example, food service workers, health care workers, child care workers, sewage workers) have not shown an increased risk, such people may consider vaccination if they wish to further reduce their risk or are in communities where ongoing outbreaks are occurring.

For more information about hepatitis including fact sheets visit the CDC here.

Last updated January 2008