Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), which is highly contagious and spreads through the fecal-oral route. Hepatitis A can occur in situations ranging from isolated cases of disease to widespread epidemics. Outbreaks of hepatitis A in California have been linked to foodborne exposures and person-to-person contact, including among persons experiencing homelessness. Ways to prevent Hepatitis A include:
- Hepatitis A vaccines for persons 12 months of age and older.
- Immune globulin for short-term prevention in individuals of all ages.
- Proper sanitation and good personal hygiene, especially after using the toilet and before preparing or eating food.
While there is no specific treatment for hepatitis A, postexposure vaccination and coadministration of immune globulin as soon as possible within 2 weeks of exposure may prevent infection and development of disease.
Learn more about who's at risk, how hepatitis A spreads, clinical signs, testing, and more.