hepatitis a

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What you need to know

Hepatitis A is a very contagious liver disease.
You can get it from close contact with someone who is infected or from contaminated food or drinks.
Protect yourself by getting the vaccine and practicing good personal hygiene.
Most people with Hepatitis A have a mild illness. In rare cases, Hepatitis A can cause liver damage.

Hepatitis A basics

What is hepatitis A and how do I get it?

Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. Hepatitis A is highly contagious and anyone can catch it. The virus is found in the stool and blood of people who are infected. People can spread the virus before they feel sick. You can get it from:

Person-to-person contact with an infected person

Close, personal contact through sexual contact, like oral-to-anal sex
Caring for someone who is ill
Sharing needles with others

Eating food or drink prepared by someone infected with Hepatitis A or
Eating uncooked or raw foods contaminated during growing, harvesting, or processing.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis A?

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

Fever
Feeling tired
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Stomach pain
Throwing up
Dark urine
Light-colored stools
Joint pain
Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)

People who get hepatitis A may feel sick for a few weeks or several months. Usually, people recover completely and do not have lasting liver damage.

How do I avoid getting hepatitis A?

Get the vaccine

The best way to prevent hepatitis A is to get vaccinated. The hepatitis A vaccine is safe and effective. It is available for persons one year of age and older. Hepatitis A vaccines are usually given as two doses, six months apart. Getting both shots provides the best protection against hepatitis A.

The following people should get vaccinated for hepatitis A:

All children ages 12–23 months.
All children and adolescents between ages 2–18 years who have not been vaccinated.
All people with increased risk factors for the virus. See list of most affected people below.
Anyone who requests vaccination.

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.

Practice good hygiene

Practicing good hygiene prevents spreading the virus. Thoroughly wash hands:

After using the bathroom
After changing diapers
Before preparing or eating food

Who is most affected by hepatitis A?

Some people are at higher risk for getting the hepatitis A virus. They should prioritize getting vaccinated. These people include:

International travelers
Men who have sex with men
People who use or inject drugs
People whose jobs increase the risk of exposure
People who anticipate close personal contact with an international adoptee
People experiencing homelessness

Some people have a higher risk for getting very sick. They should consider vaccination. These people include:

People with chronic liver disease, including hepatitis B and hepatitis C
People with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Pregnant people

What if I get hepatitis A?

Get tested

Testing is the only way to know if you have hepatitis A virus. If you think you were exposed, ask your health care provider about testing. They can order a blood test to see if you were recently infected.

Treatment

Most people with Hepatitis A have a mild illness. People who get the virus may feel sick for a few weeks or several months. To treat the symptoms of hepatitis A, doctors usually recommend rest, adequate nutrition, and fluids. Usually, people recover completely and do not have lasting liver damage. Most people who have been infected in the past will not get infected again.