Hepatitis A

Signs and symptoms

Not everyone infected with hepatitis A develops symptoms. Adults are more likely than children to develop symptoms. Children without symptoms can still spread the virus to others, including parents and caregivers.

Symptoms can appear two weeks to seven weeks after exposure. Symptoms range from mild to severe and can include sudden onset of:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Dark-colored urine
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or white of the eyes)

A person is contagious about two weeks before symptoms appear and one week after symptoms appear. 

How it spreads

Hepatitis A is usually spread from person to person. Fecal-oral transmission is most common. Transmission can happen if your mouth comes in contact with something contaminated with the stool (poop) of a person who has hepatitis A. The virus can spread easily when people with hepatitis A are not using the best hygiene practices.

You may be unaware that you were exposed to hepatitis A because contact with the virus can come from:

• Close contact with someone, often with a household member or sex partner, who has hepatitis A
• Eating or drinking after a person who has hepatitis A handles your food

You're unlikely to get hepatitis A from casual contact with others at work, school or community events.

Poor sanitary conditions or personal hygiene make it easier for the virus to spread.

People at higher risk

Some people are at higher risk for infection or more severe outcomes if they get hepatitis A. This includes:

• Men who have sexual contact with other men (PDF)
• People who use or inject drugs
• People experiencing unstable housing or homelessness
• People who live with someone who has hepatitis A
• Travelers to countries where hepatitis A is common
• International adoptees and their caregivers
• People living with chronic liver disease, such as fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C
• People living with HIV
• People who provide services to adults who are at higher risk for hepatitis A
• People with occupational risk for exposure, such as those who work with HAV in a laboratory

How to Prevent Hepatitis A

Get Vaccinated

The best way to prevent hepatitis A is to get the hepatitis A vaccine.

You should get the hepatitis A vaccine if:

• You're at increased risk for hepatitis A infection
• You're at high risk for severe disease if you get hepatitis A
• You're pregnant and at high risk for infection or severe outcomes
• You've had a recent exposure to hepatitis A in the last two weeks

Wash Your Hands

Washing your hands can help prevent infection, especially:

• After using the bathroom or changing a diaper
• Before preparing and eating food

More ways to keep illness from spreading

Treatment and Recovery

• There’s no special medicine for hepatitis A.
• Someone who is sick with hepatitis A should rest, eat well and drink plenty of fluids.
• Most people get better within a few weeks.
• Once you’ve had hepatitis A, you’re immune for life and can’t get it again.