Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a liver infection that is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV causes inflammation in the liver. The virus spreads easily from person to person (is contagious).

Usually, hepatitis A infection is mild, and the person recovers fully. The hepatitis A vaccine can prevent this infection.

What are the causes?

• Eating food or drinking water that has the virus in it (is contaminated).
• Having sex with someone who is infected. The virus can be spread through oral, vaginal, or anal sex.
• Coming into contact with the stool (feces) of an infected person. This can happen when your hands touch your mouth.

What increases the risk?

• Having contact with contaminated needles or syringes while injecting drugs.
• Being unable to get clean water or food.
• Working at a day care or nursing home and coming in contact with stool.
• Having HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), or long-term liver disease.
• Living in or traveling to countries where hepatitis A is common.
• Being a male who has sex with other males.
• Having vaginal, oral, or anal sex with someone who is infected.
• Having a bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot normally, such as hemophilia, and requiring multiple blood transfusions.

What are the signs or symptoms?

• Loss of appetite.
• Fever or tiredness (fatigue).
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Stomach pain.
• Dark yellow urine, light-colored stool, or both.
• Yellowing of the skin or the white parts of your eyes (jaundice).
• Itchy skin.
• Joint pain.

Often, hepatitis A causes no symptoms.

How is this diagnosed?

• A physical exam.
• Your medical history.
• Blood tests.

How is this treated?

This condition usually goes away on its own after several weeks or months. There is no specific treatment for this infection.

• Treat dehydration.
• Have your liver function monitored.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Do not take any over-the-counter medicines that contain acetaminophen.

Activity

• Get plenty of sleep.
• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
• Ask your health care provider when you may return to school or work.

Lifestyle

• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco. These products include cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and vaping devices, such as e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• Until your health care provider approves:
  • Do not have sex.
  • Do not drink alcohol.
  • Avoid swimming and using hot tubs.

General instructions

• Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats or non-meat proteins, such as beans or tofu.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. This is especially important:
  • After using the bathroom or changing diapers.
  • Before handling food or water.
• Tell your health care provider about all the people you live with or have close contact with. Your health care provider may recommend that they receive the HAV vaccine.
• Follow other instructions from your health care provider about how to avoid spreading HAV.
• Keep all follow-up visits. This is important.

How is this prevented?

• Get the HAV vaccine. This helps prevent the hepatitis A infection.
• If you have been exposed to HAV recently, your health care provider may recommend that you get one of the following to help prevent infection:
  • Human immunoglobulin. This is a blood protein that fights germs in the body.
  • The HAV vaccine. Even if you got this vaccine as a child, a booster shot may help.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• If you travel to a developing country:
  • Avoid food that is raw or not cooked thoroughly.
  • Drink bottled water only.
  • Use bottled water to brush your teeth, make ice cubes, and wash fruits and vegetables.
• Use a condom every time you have vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Latex condoms offer the best protection.

Where to find more information

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/hepatitis
• World Health Organization: www.who.int

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have a fever or chills.
• Your symptoms get worse.

Get help right away if:

• You cannot eat or drink, or you cannot eat or drink without vomiting.
• You feel confused.
• You have jaundice that is getting worse.
• You are very sleepy or have trouble waking up.
• You have bleeding or bruising that keeps happening.

Summary

• Hepatitis A is a liver infection that is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It spreads easily from person to person (is contagious).
• HAV can be spread by eating food or drinking water that has the virus in it (is contaminated).
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. This is especially important after using the bathroom or changing diapers, and before handling food or water.