What is Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is another hepatitis disease, similar to hepatitis B and C.  All are caused by a virus that attacks the liver, and can cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dark urine, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite.

The Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is spread primarily through food or water contaminated by stool from an infected person. You can get the virus from:

• Eating food prepared by someone with HAV who did not wash their hands after using the bathroom
• Having anal/oral sex with someone with HAV
• Not washing your hands after changing a diaper
• Drinking contaminated water

HAV causes inflammation of the liver, but it rarely causes lasting damage. Most adults have the symptoms mentioned above but young children often have no symptoms. If symptoms are present, they usually last less than two months. Once you recover from hepatitis A, your body has developed life-long protection from future hepatitis A infections.

There is a safe and effective vaccine for hepatitis A for both children and adults. The recommended schedule for children is the primary immunization, followed by a second dose 6-12 months later. Adults 18 and older can get a combined hepatitis A and B vaccine (Twinrix), given as 3 doses over a 6-month period.

Also practice healthy habits. Wash your hands thoroughly especially before preparing food, after using the toilet or after changing a diaper.