 Hepatitis
A
Click here for a glossary
of terms to help you understand the words used
here and by your doctor.
Hepatitis A transmission
What happens after infection?
Diagnosis and treatment
of hepatitis A
Hepatitis A prevention
Updated: Jan 2009
Hepatitis A
is caused by the hepatitis A virus. The virus primarily
affects the liver. To learn more about the liver, visit
the resources section
of the website. The information provided here is a compilation
of information from reputable sources including the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the
World Health Organization (WHO). If you have questions
or concerns about this information, please contact HepTREC.
Hepatitis A transmission
Infected people pass the virus in their
stool (feces, poop, shit). The virus enters the body of a
new person when hands, food, water, or objects contaminated
with stool are put in the mouth. While it seems as though
this would rarely happen, it actually happens all the time.
The amount of material needed to spread the infection is
very small - -not even visible to the eye. The incubation period is 15 to 45 days and the time from exposure to onset of symptoms depends upon the number of particles ingested. The virus can
be spread when people with the infection don’t wash
their hands after using the restroom, changing diapers or
soiled linens and then handle food or objects that someone
else puts in their mouth. Infection can occur when people
drink water contaminated with sewage or eat food that has
contaminated waste in it. It can also be transmitted during
oral sex. In rare occasions, hepatitis A is transmitted by
blood-to-blood contact.
The hepatitis A virus infects about a hundred
thousand Americans each year. Given the ways that hepatitis
A is spread, certain groups are at higher risk for contacting
hepatitis A than others. People who live in or travel to
areas with poor sanitation are at increased risk of hepatitis
A infection. People exposed to feces through frequent diaper
changes, changing bedpans, and cleaning soiled clothing and
bedding may also be at increased risk for infection. Men
who have sex with men (MSM) are at increased risk mainly
from sexual contact. Any activity that involves contact with
the anus of another person or something that's been in contact
with the anus of another person including used condoms, sex
toys, kissing someone who's been rimming, fingering, and
fisting can spread hepatitis A. Heterosexuals who engage
in these practices are also at increased risk for hepatitis
A infection. Since hepatitis A can be transmitted through
blood-to-blood contact, IV drug users who share injection
equipment are at increased risk for hepatitis A infection.
Take our quick quiz for hepatitis A exposure
in the Resources section
of our website.
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What happens after infection?
People infected by hepatitis A may or may
not show symptoms. Infants and young children rarely show
symptoms and adults are more likely to show symptoms of infection.
Infected people, with symptoms or without, can transmit the
infection to others.
If symptoms occur, they can be mild or severe.
Symptoms can include:
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Jaundice (yellowing
of eyes and skin, dark urine)
Hepatitis A can be serious and life threatening.
The very young, the very old, people with liver disease (including
hepatitis B or C), HIV, cancer, and other conditions can
have serious, even life threatening, illness. Most people,
however, are ill for a few weeks to a few months and then
they recover.
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Diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis A
The only way to know for sure if someone
has, or ever had hepatitis A is through a blood test. If
a healthcare provider suspects hepatitis infection, they
will usually test for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis
C. If a person believes they were exposed to someone with
hepatitis A they should contact a doctor or the health department
right away. A dose of hepatitis A vaccine and a substance
called gamma globulin (another person’s antibodies
to hepatitis A) can help prevent infection. Once the infection
is established, there is no treatment, but medications can
help alleviate some of the symptoms. Once a person recovers
from their infection, they will not become infected again.
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Hepatitis A prevention
The most effective way to prevent hepatitis
A is through vaccination. A safe, effective vaccine is available
for children and adults. The CDC recommends that all children
over 12 months of age get vaccinated against hepatitis A
(this is a new recommendation). All adults at increased risk
for hepatitis A infection, including MSM, travelers to areas
with high rates of hepatitis A, IV drug users. CDC also recommends
hepatitis A vaccination for people who could face serious
illness if infected, including those with HIV, chronic liver
disease, and other chronic diseases.
In addition to vaccination, the spread of
hepatitis A can be curtailed with the following activities:
• Wash hands after using the
toilet, changing diapers, or handling bedpans,
• Disinfect diaper change
areas,
• Wash hands before handling
food,
• Wash hands before eating,
• Boil water when recommended
by local health officials,
• Avoid eating raw shellfish,
• Wash fruits and vegetables,
• Routinely wash children’s
toys and play surfaces with hot soapy water or disinfectants,
• Talk with a doctor or
health department before traveling to areas noted for hepatitis
A,
• Wash the body prior
to oral sex,
• Report hepatitis A infections
to health officials,
• People with hepatitis
A, or symptoms of hepatitis A, should not handle others’ food.
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