Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a viral infection that affects the human liver. It is not generally life threatening. It has been commonly known as infectious hepatitis in years past, but that term is used less often today.

The overall case-fatality rate among hepatitis A patients is about one-third of one percent. The hepatitis A rate is significantly higher however, in persons over 50 years old (1.8 percent).

Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus.

Hepatitis A is can affect anyone. It can be spread individually or in epidemic-sized outbreaks,

Hepatitis A is very contagious. It is transmitted through contaminated food or water, by contact with fecal material that finds its way into the digestive system, or through household contact with the hepatitis A virus.

Hepatitis A is most common in Central & South America, Africa, South Asia.

A hepatitis A infection may be mild, in which case it will last a week or two. It can also manifest in a severe, disabling form that lasts several months.

If you have hepatitis A once, you develop an immunity and you cannot get it again.

You can generally avoid getting hepatitis A through good personal hygiene and living in a clean, sanitary environment.

A hepatitis A vaccine is available. Before a vaccine was developed, there were about 35,000 cases of hepatitis A each year in the U.S.

Who is likely to get hepatitis A?

Anyone who has household contact with somebody who has hepatitis A.

Anyone who uses illegal drugs that are administered by in injection. Needles used by persons infected with the hepatitis A virus are especially dangerous.

Having sexual contact with a person who has hepatitis A.

Persons, especially children, living in regions where hepatitis A is prevalent or an outbreak is in progress.

Travelers who visit countries where hepatitis A is common or there's an outbreak.

Related articles: Hepatitis A Symptoms, Hepatitis A Vaccine and Prevention, Hepatitis A Treatment and Infectious Hepatitis.

There are also special sections on Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C 

Need more information about hepatitis A? Use the convenient box below to search for related websites