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CDC: Hepatitis A Fact Sheet

Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus and affects the liver but rarely causes permanent damage. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there was an estimated 25,000 new hepatitis A infections in 2007.

  1. Transmission

    • People who ingest fecal matter from person-to-person contact or sexual contact with an infected person or ingest contaminated food or drink are at risk of acquiring hepatitis A.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms for all types of viral hepatitis, including hepatitis A, range from loss of appetite and fatigue to vomiting and fever. Although the incubation period for hepatitis A is an average of 28 days, the CDC states that 10 percent to 15 percent of patients may experience a relapse of symptoms about six months after the illness.

    Vaccination

    • Although there is no treatment for hepatitis A, there is a vaccination currently available. The CDC recommends children at one year of age, travelers visiting regions with high rates of the illness or anyone seeking long-term protection get the vaccine.

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