Hepatitis A
Overview
Hepatitis A is an acute inflammatory disease of the liver. In 2005, nearly 4,500 cases of hepatitis A were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). An estimated 100 people die from the infection every year in this country.
Cause
Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV is found in the stools and blood of an infected person.
Transmission
You can get hepatitis A through eating food or drinking water contaminated with the virus and through close personal contact with an infected person. Outbreaks have been associated with
- food contaminated by food handlers
- raw or undercooked shellfish harvested from contaminated waters
- contaminated produce such as lettuce and strawberries.
Several outbreaks in the United States and elsewhere have also been associated with injecting and non-injecting drug use. Hepatitis A also is common in certain areas of the world where there is poor sanitation.
Symptoms
Symptoms of hepatitis A include
- Jaundice
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
Some people have mild symptoms lasting 1 to 2 weeks, while others have more severe symptoms that can last several months. Generally, the severity of the illness increases with age; children infected with hepatitis A virus usually do not have symptoms.
Diagnosis
Your health care provider can find out whether you have hepatitis A by giving you a blood test.
Treatment
There are no medicines for treating hepatitis A infection once you have it. Takinig immunoglobulin (a protein that fights infection) during a hepatitis A outbreak, however, will help keep you from getting sick.
Prevention
Good sanitation and hygiene, and avoiding contaminated food and water are the best ways you can prevent getting infected with hepatitis A.
A vaccine for hepatitis A has been available since the 1990s. Health experts recommend you get the vaccine if you are traveling to Africa, Asia, Central and South America, or Eastern Europe. Contact CDC to find out whether you are part of a risk group that should get the vaccine.
If you have certain allergic conditions, ask your health care provider whether you should get the vaccine.
Health experts don’t know how safe the vaccine is for pregnant women.
If you have been exposed to hepatitis A virus during an outbreak, takinig immunoglobulin (a protein that fights infection) will help keep you from getting sick.
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