Hepatitis A

What is the cause?

Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. The disease is spread
primarily through food or water contaminated by stool from an infected person. The
hepatitis A virus, which causes the infection, usually is spread when a person ingests
even tiny amounts of contaminated fecal matter. The hepatitis A virus infects liver cells
and causes inflammation. The inflammation can impair liver function and cause other
signs and symptoms of hepatitis A.
Hepatitis A virus can be transmitted several ways, such as:

Eating food handled by someone with the virus who doesn't thoroughly wash
his or her hands after using the toilet
Drinking contaminated water
Eating raw shellfish from water polluted with sewage
Being in close contact with a person who's infected even if that person has
no signs or symptoms

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of hepatitis A usually appear around 28 days after infection, but can start as
early as two weeks after catching the virus. Only 30 percent of children with the virus
actually develop symptoms. Fever and jaundice are two of the symptoms most
commonly associated with a hepatitis A infection. Early symptoms of this hepatitis
virus include:
Muscle aches
Headache
Loss of appetite
Abdominal discomfort
Fever
Weakness and fatigue
After a few days of experiencing these symptoms, 70 percent of patients develop
jaundice, a yellowing of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Jaundice also
causes dark urine and light, clay-colored feces
Length of Symptoms
Symptoms usually last less than two months, although they sometimes last up to six
months, and jaundice can linger for up to eight months. Patients can also experience
severely itchy skin for a few months after symptoms first appear. Most patients fully
recover.

How is it spread?

Hepatitis A virus is found in the stool of persons with hepatitis A. The virus is usually
spread from person to person by putting something in the mouth that has been
contaminated with the stool of an infected person; for this reason, the virus is more
easily spread under poor sanitary conditions, and when good personal hygiene is not
observed. People can get hepatitis A by consuming contaminated water or ice; raw
shellfish harvested from sewage-contaminated water; and fruits and vegetables, or
other foods eaten uncooked that many have become contaminated during handling.

How I can prevent?

Hepatitis A is completely avoidable, since a hepatitis A vaccine exists to prevent it.
However, since the vaccine only became recommended for all children in 2006, many
people are not vaccinated. Hepatitis transmission is still possible, and prevention
techniques are still important. Food handlers should always wash hands after using the
bathroom or changing a diaper and before preparing food.
Prevention of Acute Hepatitis after Infection
After a person has been exposed to Hepatitis A, immune globulin (IG) is 80 to 90
percent effective in preventing clinical hepatitis when it is injected within two weeks of
exposure.
Who should get the Hepatitis A Vaccine?
Starting in 2006, this hepatitis vaccine became recommended for all children ages 1223 months. The vaccine is also recommended for the following groups of people:
Travelers to areas with higher rates of hepatitis A
Men who have sex with men
Drug users (both injecting and non-injecting)
Those with blood clotting disorders (e.g. hemophilia)
Those with chronic liver disease
Those who risk infection in the workplace (e.g. hospital or laboratory workers)
Children living in regions of the U.S. with increased rates of hepatitis A
Members of households with an adopted child arriving from a country with a
high rate of Hepatitis A