What is Hepatitis A?

This page was reviewed or revised on Thursday, August 13, 2009.

Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver. The most common cause of Hepatitis A is eating or drinking fecally contaminated food or water which is frequently found in underdeveloped countries where the sanitation may not be as good as home. This also includes eating raw or undercooked shellfish that has been harvested from these contaminated waters. There is also evidence that Hepatitis A can be transmitted through anal intercourse as well as through sharing needles for injection drug use.

Once the virus enters the body, symptoms such as nausea, fever, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) may occur within 15-50 days of ingestion and may last for 2 to 4 weeks longer. It is quite common for young children to show no symptoms at all when they have this infection.

The virus is excreted when an infected person has a bowel movement. If hands are not washed thoroughly after using the toilet and before eating or handling food, the virus can be transmitted to others.

There is no cure for Hepatitis A. An injection of immune globulin, given within 2 weeks of the onset of the symptoms, may provide household and other close contacts with protection against Hepatitis A. This, however, will not cure the infection should you be carrying the disease already.

How to prevent Viral Hepatitis A

• Wash hands thoroughly after using the toilet, changing diapers, or any contact with fecal material.
• Wash hands thoroughly before preparing, handling or eating food. Persons with Hepatitis A should avoid handling or preparing food for others.
• Avoid eating undercooked or raw shellfish.
• If travelling outside Canada, be sure the water you drink has been purified.Consider vaccination if your personal and/or professional lifer puts you at risk for Hepatitis A. (i.e. sewage worker, injectable drug user)