What Is Hepatitis A? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Definition

Hepatitis A is an infection that causes liver inflammation and swelling. Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). 

Many people who get HAV feel sick for weeks to months but then get better. Some people develop long-term liver damage and liver failure. It’s rare, but some people have died from hepatitis A.

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What causes hepatitis A to spread?

Hepatitis A spreads from person to person when the virus gets into someone’s mouth. Hepatitis A is very contagious. Even tiny amounts of the virus can cause infection. 

People with hepatitis A release the virus in their stool. This is called viral shedding. The virus can then easily spread from hands to surfaces, food, or drinks — even when someone tries to be careful about cleanliness. 

You can get exposed when you do the following:

• Touch a contaminated surface, and then eat, drink, or prepare food without washing your hands.

• Share utensils, drinks, or food with someone who has hepatitis A.

• Eat food handled or prepared by someone who has hepatitis A.

• Eat food that has been contaminated with the hepatitis A virus.

• Drink water or another liquid that has been contaminated with the hepatitis A virus.

• Have close personal or sexual contact with someone who has hepatitis A.

• Share needles with someone who has hepatitis A.

Certain situations increase your chances of being exposed to the virus:

• Close personal or sexual contact increases exposure. Spending a lot of time with someone who has hepatitis A raises the chance of coming into contact with the virus. This happens through shared surfaces, food, or physical contact. This increased exposure also increases the risk of getting hepatitis A. 

• Travel to certain countries can also raise your risk. Hepatitis A is more common in certain parts of the world. You’re more likely to get exposed to hepatitis A when you’re in a place where the virus is more common.

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How is hepatitis A diagnosed?

Several pieces of information help diagnose someone with hepatitis A:

• Hepatitis A blood test: The main blood test for hepatitis A looks for a specific antibody called IgM anti-HAV. When this antibody is present in your blood, it means you have a recent or active hepatitis A infection. 

• Liver function tests: Liver function tests are blood tests that show signs of liver inflammation or injury. These tests offer clues on how hepatitis A is affecting your liver health. 

• Stool samples: Stool tests can sometimes detect the hepatitis A virus. They’re usually only helpful during certain early stages of infection.

• Symptoms and history: Your symptoms aren’t enough to confirm the infection, but they can help your healthcare team decide which tests to order. Information about your travel, food exposures, or close contacts can also offer important clues.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis A?

Symptoms of hepatitis A infection include:

• Fever

• Fatigue

• Nausea and vomiting

• Stomach pain

• Diarrhea

• Yellow color of the eyes and skin (jaundice)

• Brown urine

• Stools that are light in color

• Joint pain

Symptoms usually start about 1 month after exposure to the virus and tend to come on suddenly. They can last for several weeks to months and gradually go away. 

Most people with hepatitis A develop a mild illness. And some never develop symptoms. 

But some people with hepatitis A develop more serious complications like:

• Relapsing hepatitis: About 15% of people develop relapsing hepatitis or gallbladder disease. During a relapse, people experience symptoms of hepatitis A, but the symptoms are usually more mild. People are contagious during the relapse.

• Acute liver failure: Acute liver failure is a rare but serious complication of hepatitis A. Fewer than 1% of people with hepatitis A develop liver failure. But about 1 in 3 people who develop liver failure from hepatitis A die or need a liver transplant.

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How do you treat hepatitis A?

There’s no cure for hepatitis A. And there’s no medication that directly treats the virus. Treatment focuses on easing symptoms and supporting your overall health while your body recovers.

This can include:

• Rest

• Hydration

• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to help with fever

• Medication to help with nausea and vomiting

• Avoiding alcohol, medications, and vitamins that put stress on the liver

Once you recover, you’re immune to hepatitis A for life.

How can you prevent hepatitis A?

There are several things you can do to protect yourself against hepatitis A.

1. Get vaccinated against hepatitis A

Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself from getting hepatitis A. The hepatitis A vaccine is a 2-dose vaccine series given 6 months apart.

Anyone can request a hepatitis A vaccine. It’s safe for adults, children, and infants over 12 months old. Consider getting vaccinated if you:

• Travel to areas where hepatitis A outbreaks are common

• Work in day care or healthcare settings

• Have chronic liver disease or have a liver transplant

2. Take steps to protect yourself while traveling

If you’re traveling to an area where hepatitis A is common, you can lower your risk by taking these protections:

• Get vaccinated at least 2 weeks before travel.

• Wash your hands often and before eating or preparing food.

• Drink bottled, sealed water or water that has been boiled. Avoid tap water, ice made from tap water, and fountain drinks.

• Use bottled or boiled water to brush your teeth.

• Eat fully cooked foods. Avoid raw fruits and vegetables unless you peel them yourself. 

• Avoid unpasteurized products

3. Seek medical care if you come in contact with hepatitis A 

You should contact your healthcare team right away if you think you may have been exposed to hepatitis A. Exposure can happen if you:

• Live with or have close contact with someone who was diagnosed with hepatitis A

• Ate food linked to a hepatitis A outbreak

• Traveled to an area with a known hepatitis A outbreak

• Were notified by a public health department about a possible exposure.

Your healthcare team may recommend treatment hepatitis A immunoglobulin. Hepatitis A immunoglobulin can keep you from getting sick with HAV — but only if you take it soon after exposure and before symptoms start.