Hepatitis A

People at risk for HAV

Household contact of an infected person
Sex contact of an infected person
People traveling to countries where hepatitis A is common *
Men who have sex with men
Injecting and non-injecting drug users
People whose jobs or lifestyles put them at risk
People who live in states or communities with high rates of infection

Symptoms

People may or may not have symptoms. Adults have them more often than children.
Common: fever, tiredness, headache, loss of appetite, body aches, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea
More serious: dark urine, change in stool, jaundice

Transmission

Found in the stool of people with hepatitis A.
Usually spread from person to person by putting something in the mouth that has been contaminated, such as food or water.
Sex with an infected person.

Effects of disease

Hepatitis A is a short-term disease.
Once you’ve had hepatitis A you cannot get it again.
Most people will recover within two months. Some are ill up to 6–9 months.

Prevention

The hepatitis A vaccine is the best protection before an exposure to HAV.
Immune globulin offers short-term protection before and after an exposure.
Good personal hygiene can help as well as using condoms and refraining from anal contact during sex.

Concerns for women, children & older adults

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