Who gets hepatitis A?

Anyone can get hepatitis A, but it occurs more frequently in children.

How is the virus spread?

The hepatitis A virus enters through the mouth, multiplies in the body and is passed in the feces. The virus can then be carried on an infected personšs hands and can be spread by direct contact, or by consuming food or drink that has been handled by the individual. In some cases, it can be spread by consuming water contaminated with improperly treated sewage.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis A?

The symptoms of hepatitis A may include fatigue, poor appetite, fever and vomiting. Urine may become darker in color, and then jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes) may appear. The disease is rarely fatal and most people recover in a few weeks without any complications. Infants and young children tend to have very mild symptoms and are less likely to develop jaundice than are older children and adults. Not everyone who is infected will have all of the symptoms.

How soon do symptoms appear?

The symptoms may appear two to six weeks after exposure, but usually within three to four weeks.

For how long is an infected person able to spread the virus?

The contagious period begins about a week or so before the symptoms appear, and extends up to the time of jaundice.

Does past infection with hepatitis A make a person immune?

Once an individual recovers from hepatitis A, he or she is immune for life and does not continue to carry the virus.

What is the treatment for hepatitis A?

There are no special medicines or antibiotics that can be used to treat a person once the symptoms appear. Generally, bed rest is all that is needed.

How can hepatitis A be prevented?

To prevent person-to-person spread, careful hand washing after visiting the toilet is the single most important means of prevention. For close contacts of a case, immune globulin shots are recommended to minimize the risk of disease. For long term protection, a new hepatitis A vaccine became available in 1995.

Who should obtain the new hepatitis A vaccine?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends hepatitis A vaccine for:

• travelers to countries with high rates of hepatitis A;
  
• people living in communities with high rates of hepatitis A;
  
• people in certain outbreak settings;
  
• laboratory personnel who work with hepatitis A virus;
  
• sexually active homosexual/bisexual men;
  
• people with existing chronic liver disease;
  
• injecting drug users.

The hepatitis A vaccine may also be used in certain outbreak situations where ongoing transmission in occurring. Although studies of certain occupational groups (for example, food service workers, health care workers, child care workers, sewerage workers) have not shown an increased risk, such people may consider vaccination if they wish to further reduce their risk or are in communities where ongoing outbreaks are occurring.

New York State Department of Health

Send questions or comments to: nyhealth@health.state.ny.us
Revised: February 1999