Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). In the USA, hepatitis A infections have declined by
90% since the hepatitis A vaccine first became available in 1995. Still, there are cases of hepatitis A reported to the San Francisco Department of Public Health every year among San Francisco residents. Hepatitis A is still common in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and eastern Europe. Hepatitis A virus is found in the stool (feces) of people with HAV infection. It enters the body through the mouth after someone handles something
contaminated with HAV, or eats or drinks something contaminated with HAV. People usually get hepatitis A by having close contact with a person who is infected, from food or drinks prepared by someone who is infected, or by eating shellfish harvested from sewage-contaminated water. After the virus enters the body, there is an incubation period lasting 2 to 7 weeks until illness begins. Who is at Risk for Infection?Anyone who is not immune to hepatitis A can get hepatitis A infection. Food-borne outbreaks occur sporadically throughout the USA. Certain groups of people do have a higher risk of developing HAV infection and should be vaccinated:
How is Hepatitis A Infection Prevented?Vaccination
Natural Immunity
Healthy Habits
After Exposure to HAV
What are the Symptoms of Hepatitis A?Children who become infected with hepatitis A before age 6 usually have no symptoms (70%) or mild illness, and if they do become ill, they usually get better in under 2 months. Adults and older children who become infected with hepatitis A can have no symptoms or very mild illness (30%), but most develop jaundice and other symptoms (70%). Mild illness can resolve in 1-2 weeks, but more severe illness can last for months. Common symptoms of HAV infection include:
The blood test for hepatitis A infection is called the “Hepatitis A IgM Antibody test.” People who have hepatitis A infection right now will show positive IgM antibodies on this test. While most people heal completely from hepatitis A infection, a small number, usually those with pre-existing liver disease, suffer major liver damage which can result in death (0.3-1.3%). If you think you have hepatitis A, you should immediately contact your doctor. Additional Information
What is the best way to prevent the spread of hepatitis A?Practicing good hand hygiene — including thoroughly washing hands after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before preparing or eating food — plays an important role in preventing the spread of hepatitis A.
What should food handlers do to prevent the spread of hepatitis A?To prevent the spread of hepatitis A from an infected food worker to co-workers and/or restaurant patrons, food workers should never touch ready-to-eat foods with bare hands, and should carefully wash their hands after using the bathroom, even if the food worker does not feel sick.
How can we prevent hepatitis A disease?Hepatitis A infection can be prevented by getting vaccine or immune globulin soon after coming into contact with the virus. Persons who have recently been exposed to HAV should get immune globulin or vaccine as soon as possible, but not more than 2 weeks after the last exposure.
When do contact precautions for hepatitis A need to occur?For acute hepatitis A, individuals should be assumed to have been communicable starting two weeks before symptom onset, and continuing to be communicable until two weeks after symptom onset (if jaundice occurs, one week after jaundice onset). barrier when soiling is likely.
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To prevent the spread of hepatitis a virus (hav) infection the nurse is especially careful when:
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