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Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the Hepatitis A virus. It can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months.
Although anyone can get Hepatitis A, some people are at greater risk, such as those who:
Hepatitis A can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine.
Hepatitis A still occurs in the United States, although not as frequently as it once did. Over the last several decades, there has been more than a 90% decrease in Hepatitis A cases. New cases are now estimated to be around 3,000 each year. Many experts believe this decline is a result of the vaccination of children and people at risk for Hepatitis A. Many of the new cases, however, are from American travelers who got infected while traveling to parts of the world where Hepatitis A is common.
Hepatitis A is usually spread when a person ingests fecal matter—even in microscopic amounts—from contact with objects, food, or drinks contaminated by feces or stool from an infected person. Hepatitis A can be spread when:
Not everyone has symptoms. If symptoms develop, they usually appear 2 to 6 weeks after infection and can include:
Symptoms are more likely to occur in adults than in children. They usually last less than 2 months, although some people can be ill for as long as 6 months. People can spread Hepatitis A even if they don’t look or feel sick. Many children and some adults have no symptoms.
A doctor can determine if a person has Hepatitis A by discussing his or her symptoms and taking a blood sample. To treat Hepatitis A, doctors usually recommend rest, adequate nutrition, fluids, and medical monitoring. Some people will need to be hospitalized. It can take a few months before people begin to feel better.
Most people who get Hepatitis A feel sick for several months, but they usually recover completely and do not have lasting liver damage. Sometimes Hepatitis A can cause liver failure and death, although this is rare and occurs more commonly in people older than 50 and people with other liver diseases.
Yes. The best way to prevent Hepatitis A is by getting vaccinated. Experts recommend the vaccine for all children, and people with certain risk factors and medical conditions. The vaccine is also recommended for travelers to certain international countries, even if travel occurs for short times or on closed resorts. The Hepatitis A vaccine is safe and effective and given as 2 shots, 6 months apart. Both shots are needed for long-term protection. Ask if your health plan will cover travel related vaccines. You can get vaccinated at your doctor’s office, as well as travel clinics and other locations. Lower cost vaccination may be available at certain pharmacies and your local health department.
Who should get vaccinated against Hepatitis A?
Vaccination is recommended for certain groups, including:
For more information Talk to your health professional, call your health department, or visit www.cdc.gov/hepatitis or www.cdc.gov/travel. This information was taken from https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/pdfs/hepageneralfactsheet.pdf
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