Hepatitis A (formerly known as infectious hepatitis) is a liver disease caused by a specific virus. The disease is fairly common; from 100 to 900 cases are reported in Missouri each year.

Anyone can get hepatitis A, but it occurs more frequently in children.

The hepatitis A virus enters through the mouth, multiplies in the body and is passed through the feces. The virus can then be carried on an infected person's hands and can be spread by consuming food or drink that has been handled by the infected individual. In some cases, it can be spread by consuming water contaminated with improperly treated sewage. It cannot be spread by sneezing or coughing. An increasing number of hepatitis A cases have been reported in drug abusers, and it is suspected that contaminated drugs or close personal contact is the cause.

The symptoms of hepatitis A may include fatigue, poor appetite, fever and vomiting. Urine may become darker in color, and then jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and/or whites of the eyes) may appear. The disease is rarely fatal and most people recover in a few weeks without any complications. Infants and young children tend to have very mild symptoms and are less likely to develop jaundice than are older children and adults. Not everyone who is infected will have all of the symptoms.

The symptoms may appear 15 to 50 days after exposure, but usually four to five weeks.

Since there are several types of viral hepatitis, a blood test is needed to determine which type of hepatitis is present.

The contagious period begins approximately two weeks before the symptoms appear, and extends one week after the appearance of jaundice. If jaundice is not present, the person should be considered infectious for two weeks following the onset of symptoms.

Once an individual recovers from hepatitis A, he or she is immune for life and does not continue to carry the virus.

There are no special medicines or antibiotics that can be used to treat a person once the symptoms appear. Generally, rest and supportive treatment is all that is needed.

A vaccine is now available to prevent hapatitis A. Two doses received six months apart provide long term protection. The vaccine is available from both private physicians and your health department.

The single most effective way to prevent spread is careful handwashing after using the toilet or changing diapers. Also, infected people should not handle foods during the contagious period. Household members or others in close contact with an infected person should call a doctor or the health department to obtain a shot of immune globulin which minimizes their chances of becoming ill by providing temporary protection. Immune globulin must be given within two weeks of exposure to be effective.

December 1999