What is Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver. The virus causes inflammation in the liver and it can be passed from person to person (is contagious).

Most cases of hepatitis A are fairly mild and people recover fully. The hepatitis A vaccine can prevent this condition.

What are the causes?

This condition is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). The virus may be spread by:

• Drinking or eating unclean (contaminated) food or water.
• Having sex with with someone who is infected.
• Coming into contact with the stool (feces) of a person who is infected and passing the virus from your hands to your mouth.

What increases the risk?

The following factors make you more likely to develop this condition:

• Having contact with contaminated needles or syringes. This may happen during:
  • Acupuncture.
  • Tattooing.
  • Body piercing.
  • Injecting drugs.
• Not having access to clean water or food.
• Working at a day care or nursing home. Working in these facilities increases the risk of getting this infection because you are in contact with feces during diaper changes or general hygiene practices.
• Having HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) or AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
• Living in or traveling to countries where hepatitis A is common.
• Being a man who has sex with men.
• Having oral or anal sex.
• Having hemophilia or another blood clotting factor disorder.
• Having long-term (chronic) liver disease.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

• Loss of appetite.
• Fatigue.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Stomach pain.
• Dark yellow urine.
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).
• Fever.
• Itchy skin.
• Light-colored bowel movements.
• Joint pain.

In some cases, you may not have any symptoms.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed based on:

• A physical exam.
• Your medical history.
• Blood tests.

How is this treated?

This condition usually goes away on its own over several weeks or months. There is no specific treatment for the disease after the virus has caused the infection. Severe cases of hepatitis A may require hospitalization to treat dehydration and to monitor liver function, but this is rare.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Do not take over-the-counter medicines that contain acetaminophen.
• Do not take any new medicines, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements, unless approved by your health care provider.

Lifestyle

• Rest. Make sure you:
  • Get plenty of sleep. Avoid staying up late.
  • Keep the same bedtime hours on weekends and weekdays.
  • Take daytime naps or rest breaks when you feel tired.
• Do not have sex unless approved by your health care provider.
• Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat (lean) meats or other non-meat proteins (such as beans or tofu).
• Do not drink alcohol until your health care provider approves.

General instructions

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom, after changing diapers, and before handling food or water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
• Tell your health care provider about all of the people you live with or with whom you have close contact. Your health care provider may recommend that they receive the hepatitis A vaccine.
• Follow your health care provider’s instructions about how to avoid spreading the virus.
• Ask your health care provider when you may return to school or work.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

How is this prevented?

• Get the hepatitis A vaccine. This helps prevent the hepatitis A infection.
• If you have been recently exposed to hepatitis A, your health care provider may recommend that you get a shot of human immunoglobulin or the hepatitis A vaccine. This may help you prevent hepatitis A.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom or changing diapers, and before handling food or water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
• If you travel to a developing country:
  • Avoid raw or under-cooked food.
  • Drink bottled water only.
  • Use bottled water to brush your teeth, make ice cubes, and wash fruits and vegetables.
• Practice safe sex. Always use condoms when having oral, vaginal, or anal sex.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have a fever.
• Your symptoms get worse.

Get help right away if:

• You are unable to eat or drink.
• You cannot eat or drink without vomiting.
• You feel confused.
• Your jaundice gets worse.
• You are very sleepy or have trouble waking up.
• You have uncontrolled bleeding or bruising.

Summary

• Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver. The virus causes inflammation in the liver and it can be passed from person to person (is contagious).
• The hepatitis A virus (HAV) can be spread by drinking or eating unclean (contaminated) food or water.
• You should not take any new medicines, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements, unless they are approved by your health care provider.
• To help prevent hepatitis A, wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom or changing diapers, and before handling food or water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.