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Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus. It is spread from person-to-person by putting something in the mouth that has been contaminated with the stool of an infected person.

Symptoms include:

• Lack of energy.
• Diarrhea.
• Fever.
• Nausea.
• Jaundice (yellow color to the whites of the eyes or skin).

Not all infected people have symptoms, but can still infect others. Many children do not have symptoms, so they often play a major role in passing the infection to others. The highest rates of hepatitis A are among children and young adults. Long term effects are uncommon, however there are about 100 deaths nationally each year from hepatitis A complications.

Good personal hygiene and proper sanitation can help prevent hepatitis A. Vaccines are also available for long-term prevention of hepatitis A virus infection in people aged 12 months and older. Immune globulin is available for short-term prevention of hepatitis A virus infection in people of all ages.

Scientific Term:

Hepatitis A

Generic Term:

• Hepatitis A
• HAV

Age Groups at Risk:

All

Fact Sheets:

• Department of Health Fact Sheet
• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Fact Sheet

Vaccine Info:

• Hepatitis A Vaccine
  

Vaccine Information Statements:

• Hepatitis A

Related Information:

• Notifiable Conditions: Hepatitis A
• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Publications
• Update: Prevention of Hepatitis A After Exposure to Hepatitis A Virus and in International Travelers
• Protection Against Viral Hepatitis Recommendations of the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee (ACIP)
• Prevention of Hepatitis A Through Active or Passive Immunization

Hepatitis Resources:

American Liver Foundation Phone Number: (800) 223-0179	CDC Vaccines: Immunizations CDC Pinkbook (PDF)
Hepatitis A Statistics Communicable Disease Reports (WA)	Hepatitis B Foundation Phone Number: (215) 489-4900
Hepatitis Foundation International Phone Number: (800) 891-0707	Immunization Action Coalition - Questions about Hepatitis A
CDC Travelers Health: Yellow Book	Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases Phone Number: (877) 557-5437
PEPLine: 24-hr hotline to advise clinicians re: occupational blood exposures. Phone Number: (888) 448-4911

 

Last Update: 08/26/2008 01:52 PM