- jaundice (yellowing of skin or whites of eyes)
- fatigue
- abdominal pain
- loss of appetite
- nausea/diarrhea
- fever
Long-Term Effects
- There is no long-term (chronic) infection.
- Once you have had hepatitis A (HAV) you can't get it again.
- About 15% of people infected with HAV will have prolonged or relapsing symptoms over a 6-9 month period.
Transmission
- HAV is found in the stool (feces) of persons with hepatitis A.
- HAV is usually spread from person to person by putting something in the mouth (even though it may look clean) that has been contaminated with the stool of a person with hepatitis A.
Persons at Risk of Infection
- Household contacts of infected persons.
- Sexual contacts of infected persons.
- Persons, especially children, living in regions of the U.S. with consistently increased rates of hepatitis A.
- Persons traveling to countries where hepatitis A is common.
- Men who have sex with men.
- Injecting and non-injecting drug users.
Prevention
- Hepatitis A vaccine is the best protection.
- Short-term protection against hepatitis A is available from immune globulin. It can be given before and within 2 weeks after coming in contact with HAV.
- Always wash your hands with soap and water after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, and before preparing and eating food.
Vaccine Recommendations
Vaccine is recommended for the following persons 2 years of age and older:
- Travelers to areas with increased rates of hepatitis A.
- Men who have sex with men.
- Injecting and non-injecting drug users.
- Persons with clotting-factor disorders (e.g. hemophilia).
- Persons with chronic liver disease.
- Children living in regions of the U.S. with consistently increased rates of hepatitis A.
Trends & Statistics
- Occurs in epidemics both nationwide and in communities.
- During epidemic years, the number of reported cases reached 35,000.
- In the late 1990s, hepatitis A vaccine was more widely used and the number of cases reached historic lows.
- One-third of Americans had evidence of past infection (immunity).
Information provided by The Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
