What Is Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C are all liver infections, but they are caused by three different viruses. While they often cause similar symptoms, they are uniquely different in the way that they spread and the way that impacts your liver.

Hepatitis A is characterized by a short-term infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. It is highly contagious and can make you feel sick for as short as a few weeks or as long as a few months. People often fully recover without any long-lasting liver damage.

How Common Is Hepatitis A?

Because hepatitis A can be easily spread, roughly 24,000 people are impacted by the illness annually. While thousands of people are impacted by hepatitis A, the prevalence initially declined after the hepatitis A vaccine was introduced in 1996. However, that decline was short-lived. The numbers have increased recently due to multiple outbreaks in the United States. These outbreaks are a result of person-to-person contact among certain populations, specifically those who use drugs, are experiencing homelessness, and men who have sex with other men.

Hepatitis A Transmission

Hepatitis A spreads quickly and can be transmitted through person-to-person contact or consuming contaminated foods or beverages.

Person-to-Person Contact:

The virus can be spread from close contact with an infected person. Close, personal contact includes activities such as sexual contact, using drugs with an infected person, and caring for someone who is already sick with hepatitis A. The virus can be spread even before the infected person shows symptoms so it can be difficult to slow the spread.

Consuming Contaminated Foods or Beverages:

Consuming foods or beverages that are infected with the virus is another way of contracting hepatitis A. Contamination does not only occur during food preparation, but can occur in the growing, harvesting, and processing of the food. In fact, the virus can even contaminate the food after it is cooked. This is less common in the United States, but foodborne outbreaks are possible and have occurred.

At-Risk Populations

While anyone can contract hepatitis A, there are certain populations at a higher risk for the condition. Those at an increased risk for hepatitis A include the following populations.

• Men who have sex with other men
• People who use or inject drugs
• People experiencing homelessness
• International travelers
• People with occupational risk for exposure
• People who have close, personal contact with an international adoptee
• People with chronic liver disease
• People with HIV

Symptoms of Hepatitis A

Some people do not experience symptoms when infected with hepatitis A. Adults are more likely to have symptoms and they usually appear two to seven weeks after the initial infection. Those infected may experience none or some of the following symptoms.

• Upset stomach, including pain, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Yellow skin or eyes
• Fever
• Joint pain
• Fatigue
• Dark urine or light-colored urine

Hepatitis A Treatment

If you are concerned you have hepatitis A, contact a hepatitis specialist in Los Angeles right away. They will discuss your symptoms and order a blood test to determine if you have the virus. Dr. Siamak Tabib is a top gastroenterologist in Los Angeles and can diagnose and create a customized treatment plan if you are diagnosed with hepatitis A.

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