Digestive Diseases: Hepatitis A

What Are the Symptoms?

Hepatitis A is inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus.

When symptoms occur, they may include:

• Jaundice (condition causing yellow eyes and skin, dark urine)
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue

Children often have hepatitis A with few symptoms.

A person can spread the hepatitis A virus about a week before his or her symptoms appear and during the first week of having symptoms. People with no symptoms can also spread the virus.

How Is Hepatitis A Transmitted?

The hepatitis A virus is found in the stool of people with hepatitis A. It is spread from person to person by putting something in your mouth that has been contaminated with the stool of an infected person.

Therefore, hepatitis A is most commonly transmitted in drinking water or food contaminated with the stool containing the virus.

It is spread easily where there is poor sanitation or poor personal hygiene.

Other ways to get hepatitis A include:

• Eating fruits, vegetables or other foods that were contaminated during handling
• Eating raw shellfish harvested from water contaminated with the virus
• Swallowing contaminated water or ice

Who Is at Highest Risk of Infection?

Those who are the highest risk of infection include:

• People living with or having sex with an infected person.
• People traveling to countries where hepatitis A is common.
• Men who have sex with men.
• Injecting and non-injecting drug users.
• Children and employees in child day care centers.

How Is Hepatitis A Diagnosed?

Blood tests can diagnose the condition.

Are There Any Long-Term Effects?

Hepatitis A causes acute (short-lived) infection. The liver heals itself over a few weeks to months. Usually the virus doesn't cause any long-term problems or complications. However, according to the CDC, 10 to 15% of people with hepatitis A will have prolonged or relapsing symptoms over a 6-9 month period. Rarely, patients will develop acute liver failure, which can be fatal, or require a liver transplant.

What's the Treatment?

There are no treatments that will cure hepatitis A. Your health care provider may monitor your liver function tests to be sure your body is healing appropriately.

Is there a Vaccine?

Yes. Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended for people over the age of 12 months who:

• Are traveling to areas of the world with increased hepatitis A infection.
• Are men who have sex with other men.
• Have a blood clotting problem.
• Are injecting and non-injecting drug users.
• Have chronic liver disease.

The vaccine is given in two divided doses.

Can Hepatitis A Be Prevented?

Vaccination is your best defense against hepatitis A. In addition, if you come in contact with someone with hepatitis A you can receive a specific medication called immune globulin within 2 weeks of contact.

Good hygiene is also important. Always wash your hands with soap and water after using the bathroom, before and after handling food, and after changing a diaper.

Reviewed by The Cleveland Clinic Department of Gastroenterology.