Hepatitis A – Symptoms and Causes

ByJanis Updated

Overview

Hepatitis A affects the liver, causing inflammation and impacting liver function. This highly contagious virus typically spreads through:

  • Contaminated food or water
  • Close contact with infected people
  • Touching contaminated objects

Most people recover fully from hepatitis A without permanent liver damage. Mild cases don’t need medical treatment. The body fights off the infection naturally.

Good hygiene plays a key role in prevention. Washing hands properly, especially after using the bathroom and before handling food, helps reduce spread. The hepatitis A vaccine offers effective protection against the virus.

Signs and Symptoms

Hepatitis A symptoms usually show up a few weeks after getting the virus. Not everyone gets symptoms, though. If you do, you might notice:

  • Extreme tiredness and weakness
  • Sudden nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
  • Stomach pain, especially on your upper right side
  • Light-colored stool
  • Reduced hunger
  • Mild fever
  • Brown or dark urine
  • Pain in your joints
  • Yellow skin and eyes (jaundice)
  • Severe itching

These symptoms are often mild and go away within a few weeks. Sometimes, though, hepatitis A can cause serious illness lasting several months.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any hepatitis A symptoms.

If you’ve been exposed to the virus, getting the hepatitis A vaccine or an antibody injection within two weeks may prevent infection.

Talk to your doctor about getting the hepatitis A vaccine if:

  • You recently traveled to places where the virus is common
  • You ate at a restaurant with a hepatitis A outbreak
  • You live with someone who has hepatitis A
  • You recently had sexual contact with an infected person

Causes

Hepatitis A occurs when a virus enters the body and targets liver cells, causing inflammation that disrupts liver function and triggers symptoms.

This virus primarily spreads through the fecal-oral route, meaning that tiny amounts of infected stool must enter a person’s mouth for transmission to occur.

Several common transmission methods exist:

  • Consuming food prepared by an infected person who didn’t wash their hands properly
  • Drinking contaminated water sources
  • Eating food that was washed in contaminated water
  • Consuming raw shellfish from sewage-polluted waters
  • Close physical contact with infected individuals
  • Sexual contact with someone carrying the virus

The hepatitis A virus can survive on surfaces for months, making indirect transmission possible. However, it doesn’t spread through casual interactions like handshakes or through the air via coughing or sneezing.

People can transmit the virus even when they show no symptoms, which contributes to outbreaks in communities.

Risk Factors

Several factors can increase your chance of getting hepatitis A:

  • Traveling to regions where the disease is common
  • Living with someone infected with hepatitis A
  • Being a man who has sexual contact with men
  • Having sexual contact with an infected person
  • Having HIV
  • Experiencing homelessness
  • Using recreational drugs (injected or otherwise)

Complications

Hepatitis A typically does not lead to lasting liver damage and won’t develop into a chronic condition. The body usually heals completely from this infection.

In some rare situations, hepatitis A can trigger acute liver failure. This serious complication is more common in:

  • Older adults
  • People who already have other liver diseases

Acute liver failure requires immediate hospitalization for proper monitoring and treatment. Medical staff will provide supportive care and watch for worsening symptoms. In severe cases, some patients might need a liver transplant to survive.

Ways to Keep Yourself Safe

Travel Safety Tips

When going to places where hepatitis A is common, take these steps to stay safe:

  • Wash fruits and vegetables with clean bottled water and peel them yourself. Don’t buy pre-cut produce.

  • Cook all meat and fish thoroughly before eating.

  • Only drink bottled water. Use it for brushing teeth, too.

  • Avoid drinks if you’re not sure they’re safe. This includes ice cubes.

  • If you can’t find bottled water, boil tap water before using it.

Many travelers get sick from consuming unsafe food or water. Following these simple rules can greatly reduce your risk of getting hepatitis A while visiting other countries.

Keep Your Hands Clean

Washing your hands properly is one of the best ways to prevent hepatitis A. Always wash your hands:

  • After using the bathroom

  • After changing diapers

  • Before preparing any food

  • Before eating

Hand washing should take at least 20 seconds with soap and clean water. This simple habit can stop the virus from spreading.

The hepatitis A vaccine offers the best protection against the virus. It’s usually given as two shots, with the second one coming six months after the first.

Some people can get a combined vaccine that protects against both hepatitis A and B.

Health experts recommend the vaccine for:

  • Children starting at age 1

  • People without stable housing

  • Babies 6-11 months old traveling to high-risk areas

  • Those in close contact with international adoptees

  • People in contact with hepatitis A patients

  • Lab workers who might handle the virus

  • Men who have sexual relationships with men

  • International travelers to high-risk regions

  • People who use recreational drugs

  • Those with chronic liver conditions

  • Anyone wanting protection

If you’re worried about getting hepatitis A, talk to your doctor about vaccination options.

Health Writer

Janis's areas of expertise include nutrition, exercise, stress management, and mental health. She is passionate about educating and empowering people to take control of their health and make positive changes that can last a lifetime. Janis believes that small, sustainable changes are the key to long-term success, and she works with her clients to develop personalized plans that fit their individual needs and lifestyles.