Hepatitis A

What is hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a very contagious liver disease. It’s a viral infection that happens after exposure to the hepatitis A virus (HAV). The infection causes inflammation in your liver. It usually goes away without treatment. Vaccination against the virus is the best way to prevent hepatitis A.

What does hepatitis A do to you?

Hepatitis A infections are usually short-term illnesses. They cause mild symptoms. But you can spread hepatitis A even before you have symptoms.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis A?

Symptoms of hepatitis A may include:

• Diarrhea.
• Fatigue and weakness.
• Fever.
• Pruritus (itchy skin).
• Joint pain.
• Light-colored poop and dark-colored pee.
• Loss of appetite.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Stomach pain, especially in the upper left part of your stomach.
• Yellow-colored skin, whites of eyes (sclera) and mucous membranes from jaundice.

Hepatitis A symptoms typically develop about two to seven weeks after exposure. But the virus doesn’t always cause symptoms. For example, children aged 6 and younger can have the virus without having symptoms.

How long does hepatitis A last?

Hepatitis A symptoms last as long as it takes for your immune system to defeat the virus. Symptoms typically go away within two months. But some people may have symptoms for six months or more. Sometimes, symptoms go away but come back.

How do you get hepatitis A?

Food poisoning is a common cause of hepatitis A. You can get food poisoning and exposure to hepatitis A by:

• Eating raw or undercooked shellfish or fresh, unpeeled or uncooked produce.
• Drinking contaminated water or using ice made with contaminated water.
• Eating food that contains contaminated poop. The virus can get into food if someone who prepares food doesn’t wash their hands after using the bathroom.

You can also get hepatitis A by having close personal contact with someone who has the virus. That can happen if you:

• Live or work in places that don’t have adequate sanitary sewage disposal systems and easy access to clean water.
• Provide care to someone who has the virus. This can happen if you have come into contact with poop or pee from someone with the virus. For example, people who work in nursing homes or childcare may have exposure to hepatitis A.
• Share needles with someone who has the virus. Sharing needles with someone exposes you to their blood or body fluid.
• Are experiencing homelessness or living in a crowded place
• Are living with HIV.
• Have anal or oral sex with someone who has the virus.

How long are you contagious with hepatitis A?

You may be contagious for two to five weeks. You’re contagious for two weeks before you have symptoms. Once you have symptoms, you’re contagious for about three weeks after your symptoms start.

But hepatitis A doesn’t always cause symptoms. That means you could spread the virus without knowing you’re sick. Talk to a healthcare provider if you think you may have been exposed to the virus.

The virus can live on surfaces for a few months, too. If you have hepatitis A, you may want to use bleach-based products to deep-clean surfaces in your home or workplace, especially the bathroom, where people may pick up the virus.

What are the complications of hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A usually doesn’t cause complications like cirrhosis. That’s because most people get better before the virus can damage their livers. Rarely, people with hepatitis A develop liver failure. But you could have more risk if you’re:

• Age 65 and older.
• Taking immunosuppressants.
• Living with preexisting chronic liver disease.

How do healthcare providers diagnose hepatitis A?

A healthcare provider will do a physical examination. They’ll look for signs like an enlarged liver, an enlarged spleen or symptoms of jaundice. They may order liver function tests. These tests check your blood for specific antibodies.

How is hepatitis A treated?

There’s no specific treatment for hepatitis A infection. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you:

• Stay home: You should stay home from school or work until your fever goes away and you don’t have jaundice symptoms. After that, you may return to work or school if it’s been at least one week since your symptoms started.
• Stay hydrated: Sip liquids throughout the day. If you’re nauseous, try broths or clear soups. And treat yourself to foods that are mostly liquid like popsicles, flavored gelatin or ice cream.
• Avoid substances that stress your liver: Take a break from alcohol, smoking, drugs and medications if possible. Check with your healthcare provider before taking herbs or supplements.
• Keep in touch with your provider: They’ll want to check on you periodically to make sure your condition is improving. If you have severe symptoms, they might want to monitor you more closely.

Can hepatitis A be prevented?

Yes, it can. Having routine vaccinations against hepatitis A is the easiest way to prevent it. Healthcare providers recommend hepatitis A vaccinations for infants aged 12 months or older. Your provider may recommend you have a vaccination if you:

• Have regular exposure to the virus at your job.
• Plan a trip to countries that may have high levels of hepatitis A.
• Have chronic liver disease.

You can be exposed to hepatitis A without traveling to other countries. Good hygiene helps prevent many diseases at home or abroad. Protect yourself by washing your hands often.

How do I avoid infecting other people?

If you have hepatitis A, you can help prevent its spread by:

• Letting close contacts know you have the virus while you’re still contagious.
• Disinfecting your home with bleach-based cleaning products.
• Not preparing and serving food to others.
• Avoiding anal and oral sex.

Is there a prophylactic treatment for hepatitis A?

A prophylactic treatment is a treatment you have after exposure to a disease. Your provider may recommend you:

• Get a hepatitis A vaccination: Receiving the vaccine within two weeks of exposure may protect you from getting the virus. One dose of the vaccine after exposure may prevent infection. But you’ll need two to three doses to be fully vaccinated.
• Receive an immune globulin injection: Immune globulin is a medication that contains antibodies to the hepatitis A virus. Your provider may recommend this if you can’t have the hepatitis A vaccine.

Is hepatitis A curable?

Hepatitis A doesn’t require treatment to cure it. It goes away on its own. But it may be weeks or a few months before you feel better.

What is the survival rate for hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A isn’t a life-threatening illness. Very rarely, people develop liver failure.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

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.