Hepatitis A

Overview

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. The virus is one of several types of hepatitis viruses that cause liver inflammation and affect your liver's ability to function.

You're most likely to get hepatitis A from contaminated food or water or from close contact with a person or object that's infected. Mild cases of hepatitis A don't require treatment. Most people who are infected recover completely with no permanent liver damage.

Practicing good hygiene, including washing hands frequently, can prevent the spread of the virus. The hepatitis A vaccine can protect against hepatitis A.

Symptoms

Hepatitis A symptoms typically appear a few weeks after you've had the virus. But not everyone with hepatitis A develops symptoms. If you do, symptoms can include:

Unusual tiredness and weakness
Sudden nausea and vomiting and diarrhea
Abdominal pain or discomfort, especially on the upper right side beneath your lower ribs, which is over your liver
Clay- or gray-colored stool
Loss of appetite
Low-grade fever
Dark urine
Joint pain
Yellowing of the skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
Intense itching

These symptoms may be relatively mild and go away in a few weeks. Sometimes, however, hepatitis A results in a severe illness that lasts several months.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of hepatitis A.

Getting the hepatitis A vaccine or an injection of an antibody called immunoglobulin within two weeks of exposure to the hepatitis A virus may protect you from infection.

Ask your health care provider or your local health department about receiving the hepatitis A vaccine if:

You traveled recently to areas where the virus is common, particularly Mexico, Central America and South America or to areas with poor sanitation
You ate at a restaurant with a hepatitis A outbreak
You live with someone who has hepatitis A
You recently had sexual contact with someone who has hepatitis A

Causes

Hepatitis A is caused by a virus that infects liver cells and causes inflammation. The inflammation can affect how your liver works and cause other symptoms of hepatitis A.

The virus spreads when infected stool, even just tiny amounts, enters the mouth of another person (fecal-oral transmission). You may get hepatitis A when you eat or drink something contaminated with infected stool. You may also get the infection through close contact with a person who has hepatitis A. The virus can live on surfaces for a few months. The virus does not spread through casual contact or by sneezing or coughing.

Here are some of the specific ways the hepatitis A virus can spread:

Eating food handled by someone with the virus who doesn't thoroughly wash hands after using the toilet
Drinking contaminated water
Eating food washed in contaminated water
Eating raw shellfish from water polluted with sewage
Being in close contact with a person who has the virus — even if that person has no symptoms
Having sexual contact with someone who has the virus

Risk factors

You're at increased risk of hepatitis A if you:

Travel or work in areas of the world where hepatitis A is common
Live with another person who has hepatitis A
Are a man who has sexual contact with other men
Have any type of sexual contact with someone who has hepatitis A
Are HIV positive
Are homeless
Use any type of recreational drugs, not just those that are injected

Complications

Unlike other types of viral hepatitis, hepatitis A does not cause long-term liver damage, and it doesn't become an ongoing (chronic) infection.

In rare cases, hepatitis A can cause a sudden (acute) loss of liver function, especially in older adults or people with chronic liver diseases. Acute liver failure requires a stay in the hospital for monitoring and treatment. Some people with acute liver failure may need a liver transplant.

Prevention

The hepatitis A vaccine can prevent infection with the virus. The vaccine is typically given in two shots. The first shot is followed by a booster shot six months later. The hepatitis A vaccine can be given in a combination that includes the hepatitis B vaccine. This vaccine combination is given in three shots over six months.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the hepatitis A vaccine for the following people:

All children at age 1 year, or older children who didn't receive the childhood vaccine
Anyone age 1 year or older who is homeless
Infants ages 6 to 11 months traveling to parts of the world where hepatitis A is common
Family and caregivers of adoptees from countries where hepatitis A is common
People in direct contact with others who have hepatitis A
Laboratory workers who may come into contact with hepatitis A
Men who have sex with men
People who work or travel in parts of the world where hepatitis A is common
People who use any type of recreational drugs, not just injected ones
People with chronic liver disease, including hepatitis B or hepatitis C
Anyone wishing to obtain protection (immunity)

If you're concerned about your risk of hepatitis A, ask your health care provider if you should be vaccinated.

Follow safety precautions when traveling

If you're traveling to parts of the world where hepatitis A outbreaks occur, take these steps to prevent infection:

Wash all fresh fruits and vegetables in bottled water and peel them yourself. Avoid pre-cut fruit and vegetables.
Don't eat raw or undercooked meat and fish.
Drink bottled water and use it when brushing your teeth.
Avoid all beverages of unknown purity. The same goes for ice.
If bottled water isn't available, boil tap water before drinking it or using it to make ice.

Practice good hygiene

Thoroughly wash your hands often, especially after using the toilet or changing a diaper and before preparing food or eating.

Diagnosis

Blood tests are used to look for signs of the hepatitis A virus in your body. A sample of blood is taken, usually from a vein in your arm. It's sent to a laboratory for testing.

Treatment

No specific treatment exists for hepatitis A. Your body will clear the hepatitis A virus on its own. In most cases of hepatitis A, the liver heals within six months with no lasting damage.

Hepatitis A treatment usually focuses on keeping comfortable and controlling symptoms. You may need to:

Rest. Many people with hepatitis A feel tired and sick and have less energy.
Get adequate food and liquid. Eat a balanced healthy diet. Nausea can make it difficult to eat. Try snacking throughout the day rather than eating full meals. To get enough calories, eat more high-calorie foods. For instance, drink fruit juice or milk rather than water. Drinking plenty of fluids is important to prevent dehydration, especially if vomiting or diarrhea occurs.
Avoid alcohol and use medications with care. Your liver may have difficulty processing medications and alcohol. If you have hepatitis, don't drink alcohol. It can cause liver damage. Talk to your health care provider about all the medications you take, including medications available without a prescription.

Lifestyle and home remedies

If you have hepatitis A, you can take steps to reduce the risk of passing the virus to others.

Avoid sexual activity. Avoid all sexual activity if you have hepatitis A. Many kinds of sexual activity can spread the infection to your partner. Condoms don't offer adequate protection.
Wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet and changing diapers. Scrub vigorously for at least 20 seconds and rinse well. Dry your hands with a disposable towel.
Don't prepare food for others while you're actively infected. You can easily pass the infection to others.

Preparing for an appointment

If someone close to you is diagnosed with hepatitis A, ask your health care provider or local health department if you should have the hepatitis A vaccine to prevent infection.

If you have symptoms of hepatitis A, make an appointment with your health care provider.

What you can do

Because appointments can be brief and there's often a lot of information to cover, it's a good idea to be prepared.

Be aware of pre-appointment restrictions. When you make the appointment, find out if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as change your diet.
Make a list of your symptoms. Include those that seem unrelated to the reason for your appointment.
Make a list of key personal information, including major stresses or recent life changes and recent travel or possible exposure to hepatitis A.
Make a list of all medications, vitamins, herbs and other supplements you take, and the dosages.
Consider taking a family member or friend along. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
Prepare a list of questions to ask your health care provider.

For hepatitis A, some basic questions to ask are:

What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
Other than the most likely cause, what are other possible causes for my symptoms or condition?
If I have hepatitis A, what can I do to keep from infecting others?
Should people close to me receive the hepatitis A vaccine?
Can I continue to work or go to school while I have hepatitis A?
What are the signs and symptoms of serious hepatitis A complications?
How will I know when I can no longer spread hepatitis A to others?
Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What websites do you recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions you have.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care provider is likely to ask you a number of questions, including:

Have you recently traveled or been exposed to someone with hepatitis A?
When did your symptoms begin?
Do you have symptoms all the time, or do they come and go?
How severe are your symptoms?
What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
What, if anything, appears to make your symptoms worse?

Preparing and anticipating questions will help you make the most of your appointment.