What is hepatitis A?. Hepatitis A is a highly contagious, short-term liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. How serious is hepatitis A?. People who get hepatitis A may feel sick for a few weeks to several months but usually recover completely and do not have lasting liver damage.

Understanding Hepatitis A

Hepatitis, in general, refers to the inflammation of the liver, which can be caused by various factors, including heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, and certain medical conditions. However, the most common causes of hepatitis in the United States are the hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C viruses.

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious, short-term liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. Unlike hepatitis B and hepatitis C, which can become chronic, hepatitis A is usually a short-term infection and does not become chronic. While people who get hepatitis A may feel sick for a few weeks to several months, they usually recover completely and do not have lasting liver damage.

Prevalence of Hepatitis A in the United States

In 2018, a total of 12,474 hepatitis A cases were reported in the United States. However, because some people don’t ever get diagnosed, the actual number of cases reported in that year is probably closer to 24,900. Since 2016, person-to-person outbreaks of hepatitis A have been occurring across the United States, mainly among people who use injection drugs or are experiencing homelessness, resulting in more than 32,000 cases.

Prior to the hepatitis A vaccine being first recommended in 1996, cases of hepatitis A in the United States declined dramatically. Unfortunately, in recent years, the number of people infected has been increasing due to multiple outbreaks of hepatitis A in the United States resulting from person-to-person contact, especially among people who use drugs, people experiencing homelessness, and men who have sex with men.

Transmission and Exposure to Hepatitis A

The hepatitis A virus is found in the stool and blood of people who are infected. It can be spread when someone ingests the virus (even in amounts too small to see) through person-to-person contact, such as through certain types of sexual contact (like oral-anal sex), caring for someone who is ill, or using drugs with others. Hepatitis A can also be spread through contaminated food or drink, where the virus can be introduced at any point during the growing, harvesting, processing, handling, or even after cooking.

Who is at Risk for Hepatitis A?

Although anyone can get hepatitis A, in the United States, certain groups of people are at higher risk for getting infected and for having severe disease if they do get hepatitis A. These include international travelers, men who have sex with men, people who use or inject drugs, people with occupational risk for exposure, people who anticipate close personal contact with an international adoptee, people experiencing homelessness, and people with chronic liver disease, including hepatitis B and hepatitis C, or HIV.

Preventive Measures and Post-Exposure Actions

If you think you have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus, it is crucial to call your health professional or your local or state health department as soon as possible, ideally within 2 weeks. A health professional can then decide on the next steps based on your age and overall health. In some cases, a single shot of the hepatitis A vaccine can help prevent the infection if given within 2 weeks of exposure, and your doctor may recommend immune globulin in addition to the vaccine, depending on your age and health.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatitis A

The diagnosis of hepatitis A is typically made through a blood test that detects the presence of antibodies to the hepatitis A virus. While there is no specific treatment for hepatitis A, the focus is on managing the symptoms and preventing complications. Most people with hepatitis A will recover completely without any long-term liver damage, and they will develop immunity to the virus, meaning they cannot get hepatitis A again.

Preventing the Spread of Hepatitis A

The best way to prevent the spread of hepatitis A is through vaccination. The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all children, as well as for adults at increased risk of infection, such as those mentioned earlier. Practicing good hygiene, such as handwashing, and avoiding contaminated food or water can also help prevent the transmission of the hepatitis A virus.