​W​​hat is Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Hepatitis A can affect anyone. Safe and effective vaccines are available for long-term prevention of HAV infection in persons 1 year of age and older. Good personal hygiene and proper sanitation can also help prevent the spread of hepatitis A.

​How it Spreads

The hepatitis A virus is found in the stool and blood of people who are infected. The hepatitis A virus is spread when someone ingests the virus (even in amounts too small to see) through:

• Person-to-person contact

• Hepatitis A can be spread from close, personal contact with an infected person, such as through certain types of sexual contact (like oral-anal sex), caring for someone who is ill, or sharing needles with others. Hepatitis A is very contagious, and people can even spread the virus before they ​feel sick.

• ​Eating contaminated food or drink
  

​Signs and Symptoms

Many people with hepatitis A do not have symptoms and do not know they are infected. If symptoms occur with an acute infection, they can appear anytime from 2 weeks to 6 months after exposure. Symptoms of acute hepatitis can include:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Dark urine
• Light-colored stools
• Joint pain
  
• Jaundice

Testing

Testing is the only way to know if you have hepatitis A. A health care provider can determine if you have hepatitis A by discussing your symptoms and ordering a blood test that can tell whether you have been recently infected with the hepatitis A virus.

The best way to prevent hepatitis A is to get vaccinated.​

Who Should Get Vaccinated

The following people should get vaccinated for hepatitis A:

• All children ages 12–23 months
• All children and adolescents 2–18 years of age who have not previously received hepatitis A vaccine (known as “catch up” vaccination)
• People at increased risk for hepatitis A
• People at increased risk for severe disease from hepatitis A infection
• Pregnant people at risk for hepatitis A or at risk for severe health outcomes from hepatitis A infection
• Any person who requests vaccination
  

​Possible Vaccine Side Effects

Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects. Many people who get the hepatitis A vaccine have no side effects at all. The most common side effects are usually mild and last one to two days. Possible side effects include:

• Soreness, redness, or swelling in the arm where the shot was given
• Fever​
  

Prevention

Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable disease. The best way to prevent hepatitis A is to get vaccinated. Practicing good hand hygiene — including thoroughly washing hands after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before preparing or eating food — plays an important role in preventing the spread of hepatitis A.

Resources

• CDC Hepatitis A Fact Sheet (PDF)
• CDC Hep A Patient Education Resources
• Hepatitis A Questions and Answers for the Public (CDC)
• Viral Hepatitis Information for Gay and Bisexual Men (CDC) (PDF)
• More Viral Hepatitis Resources​​​​ ​
  
  

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