06/27/25 Public Health Education Topic: Hepatitis A

Per CDC:

Key points

• Hepatitis A is a disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV).

• HAV infection usually causes a mild, short-term illness.

• HAV is contagious and spreads through close person-to-person contact and eating contaminated food or drink.

• Vaccination is the best way to prevent infection

  
  

Signs and symptoms

Not everyone with hepatitis A has symptoms. Adults are more likely to have symptoms than children. If symptoms develop, they usually appear 2–7 weeks after exposure. Symptoms usually last less than 2 months, although some people can feel sick for as long as 6 months.

Symptoms can include:

• Dark urine or clay-colored stools

• Diarrhea

• Feeling tired

• Fever

• Joint pain

• Loss of appetite

• Nausea, stomach pain, throwing up

• Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)

Learn more about signs and symptoms of hepatitis A.

Prevention

The best way to prevent hepatitis A is by getting vaccinated. You need to get all the shots in the series to be fully protected.

CDC recommends the following groups get vaccinated against hepatitis A:

• All children ages 12–23 months.

• All children and adolescents between ages 2–18 years who have not been vaccinated.

• All people, including pregnant women, with increased risk factors for hepatitis A.

  
  

To learn more, please visit: Hepatitis A Basics | Hepatitis A | CDC