• Hepatitis B

• transmission

• symptoms

• high-risk groups

• prevention

How do you get it?

Hepatitis A is usually spread from person to person by putting something in the mouth that has been contaminated with the stool of a person with hepatitis A. It can also be transmitted by drinking contaminated water or ice, eating raw shellfish harvested from sewage-contaminated water, and eating food that may have been contaminated during handling. 

Unlike Hepatitis B and C, it doesn’t cause long-term liver damage. This is not a life threatening disease.

Who is at risk for it?

• People who live with someone who has hepatitis A

• People who have sexual contact with someone who has hepatitis A

• People who travel to countries where hepatitis A is common and where clean water and proper sewage disposal is not available

• Men who have sex with men

• People who use street drugs

• Residents and staff of child care centers or institutions for developmentally disabled people where a resident or an employee has hepatitis A

• Workers who handle hepatitis A-infected animals

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms usually develop over a period of several days:

• Your eyes and skin may turn yellow and your urine may turn dark

• You may be tired may lose your appetite

• You may have nausea, vomiting, fever, or stomach ache

A person can spread hepatitis A about one week before symptoms appear and during the first week of symptoms. People with no symptoms can still spread the virus unknowingly.

Once the symptoms disappear, the person is rid of the virus and is no longer infectious to other people.

How do you prevent it?

Good personal hygiene and proper sanitation can help prevent hepatitis A. You should always wash your hands after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, and before eating and preparing food.

Vaccines are also available for long-term prevention for people over the age of two. The vaccine is delivered in two doses. Immune globulin, a preparation of antibodies, is recommended for short-term protection and for people who have already been exposed to hepatitis A. It must be given within two weeks of exposure.

The vaccine is recommended for people who are at high risk for hepatitis A. In addition, people with chronic liver disease and clotting factor disorders should also receive the vaccine.

Please note that hepatitis immunizations are not covered under the student services fee. Full charges apply.

Get more information about hepatitis from  www.cdc.gov/hepatitis