Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It’s a very contagious disease. It spreads through close person-to-person contact or contaminated food or drink. It usually causes mild symptoms and goes away without treatment. But it can last several weeks to months.
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Hepatitis A is a viral infection that affects your liver. It’s caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). The virus causes liver inflammation (hepatitis) with mild symptoms that last for up to two months. It usually goes away without treatment. But it’s very contagious and easy to spread to others when you’re infected.
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Hepatitis A symptoms can include:
Not everyone has symptoms. Children under 6 may not show any signs of infection.
Hepatitis A symptoms appear between two to six weeks after infection. This is the incubation period, when the virus is replicating itself in your body. When the virus has replicated itself enough to register as a threat, your immune system launches an attack against it. This is what causes symptoms.
If the HVA virus is what causes hepatitis A, “transmission” is how you get it. You can get hepatitis A from food poisoning or close personal contact with someone who has the virus. The virus lives in the blood and poop of people who have it. Transmission occurs when it passes from their body to yours.
This can happen if:
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You may be more likely to contract hepatitis A if you:
You’re contagious for two weeks before symptoms start, and up to three weeks after they go away. But if you never have symptoms, you might never know that you’re infected or contagious. After the virus leaves your body, it can still live on surfaces and in your environment for several months.
Hepatitis A doesn’t cause chronic liver disease or lasting liver damage, like other hepatitis viruses can. That’s because most people get better before the virus can damage their livers. But during infection, hepatitis A can rarely cause acute liver failure. This is more likely if you have a weaker immune system.
To diagnose hepatitis A, a healthcare provider will start by asking about your symptoms and physically examining you. They’ll look for physical signs of liver disease, like:
To test for liver disease, they’ll take a blood panel to check how your liver is functioning. They can also test your blood for antibodies to different viruses. This will tell them which virus you have.
There’s no specific treatment for hepatitis A. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you:
Symptoms of hepatitis A last for as long as it takes for your immune system to defeat the virus. Most people recover within two months. If you have a weakened immune system, the infection might last longer — up to six months. Sometimes, symptoms appear to be gone but then come back (relapse).
Yes. If you’ve been exposed to the virus, you may be able to prevent infection by getting one of two treatments within two weeks of exposure. These include:
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If you think you may have been infected, contact your provider as soon as possible for testing. You may be able to treat it proactively. If you can’t, it’s important to know that you’re contagious. If you’re recovering from hepatitis A infection, contact your provider if you feel like your symptoms aren’t improving.
Yes, it can. Getting vaccinated against hepatitis A is the easiest way to prevent it. Healthcare providers recommend hepatitis A vaccinations for people over 12 months of age who:
Good hygiene helps prevent many diseases at home or abroad. You can help protect yourself and others by washing your hands often and practicing safe food prep.
If you have hepatitis A, you can help prevent its spread by:
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If you have hepatitis A, you may feel unwell for several weeks to months. Or you may never have symptoms. Your body will eventually clear the virus without treatment. Unlike other hepatitis viruses, hepatitis A doesn’t stay forever and doesn’t need a cure. But it’s very contagious while you have it.
If you know you have hepatitis A, contact your healthcare provider if your symptoms get worse or you feel as if your symptoms aren’t going away as quickly as you expected.
Under normal circumstances, hepatitis A isn’t a serious or life-threatening illness. But it can make you feel sick and tired for weeks or even months. And for people with weaker immune systems, it can be more serious. That’s why it’s important to try to prevent it from spreading — even if you feel well.
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Untreated hepatitis can cause liver damage or failure. Cleveland Clinic’s expert providers offer you the latest treatments and caring support.
Last reviewed on 10/31/2024.
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