What Is Hepatitis A Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment and Prevention Everyday Health Menu NewslettersSearch Hepatitis A What Is Hepatitis A Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment and Prevention By Joseph Bennington-CastroMedically Reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD Reviewed: October 16, 2020 Medically Reviewed Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, an organ with several important functions. Most Recent in Hepatitis A Gut Check Can Cookie Dough Really Harm Your Gut 5 Natural Ways to Manage Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms Early Research Reveals Key Player in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease See all in Hepatitis A Signs and Symptoms of Hepatitis A It usually takes a few weeks after becoming infected with hepatitis A to exhibit symptoms, and people also can have the infection and not ever have symptoms. ( Causes and Risk Factors of Hepatitis A The hepatitis A virus is passed between people through the “fecal-oral route,” which can occur: (2)When an infected person touches objects or food after going to the bathroom and failing to wash his hands properlyWhen someone doesn’t wash properly after handling diapers or cleaning up the stool of an infected personDuring sex with an infected person, particularly if it involves direct or indirect anal-oral contact, or anal sex in which sanitary measures aren’t taken afterward An infected person does not have to have symptoms to spread the virus. (1) Many U.S. states have reported hepatitis A outbreaks in recent years among people who use illegal drugs and people who are homeless or have unstable housing. In these outbreaks, the virus is spread primarily person-to-person. You can also get hepatitis A by ingesting food or water contaminated with feces containing HAV. (1) Common sources of HAV transmission include fruits, vegetables, shellfish, ice, and water. (1) This mode of transmission is far less common in the United States and other developed countries, which have better sanitation measures in place, such as treating the water supply with chlorine or chloramine. (3) You cannot get HAV through casual contact with an infected person, such as through hugging or even being coughed or sneezed on. (3)Babies are not believed to get HAV from breast milk. ( How Is Hepatitis A Diagnosed Hepatitis A is diagnosed based on a blood test that detects antibodies produced by the body in response to infection with the hepatitis A virus. ( Duration of Hepatitis A For the majority of people, symptoms of hepatitis A last less than two months. In about 10 to 15 percent of people, the symptoms of HAV can last up to six months. (1)People are most contagious soon after they get the infection, one to two weeks before symptoms appear. Healthy adults are no longer contagious two weeks after the illness begins, while children and people who have weak immune systems can remain contagious for up to six months, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. ( Treatment and Medication Options for Hepatitis A There is no special treatment or medication needed to cure HAV. The body gets rid of the virus on its own. ( Complications of Hepatitis A While most cases of hepatitis A clear up on their own, in rare cases, HAV can lead to complications. Liver FailureHepatitis A infection can lead to acute liver failure, especially in older people and people who have other liver diseases or Research and Statistics How Many People Get Hepatitis A It’s estimated that there are 1.4 million cases of hepatitis A throughout the world every year, according to the World Health Organization. ( Black Hispanic and Asian Americans and Hepatitis A The best way to prevent hepatitis A is through vaccination. Research suggests that Black Americans born in the United States and Asians and Hispanics born outside but living in the United States are less likely to have been vaccinated for hepatitis A compared with white people. ( Related Conditions Resources We Love A number of organizations can provide more information about hepatitis A, including updates on local outbreaks. Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking Hepatitis A Questions and Answers for the Public. Viral Hepatitis. Show Less NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Digestive Health Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. 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