| SIGNS
& SYMPTOMS |
Adults
will have signs and symptoms more often than children.
|
- jaundice
- fatigue
- abdominal
pain
- loss
of appetite
|
|
| CAUSE |
|
| LONG-TERM
EFFECTS |
- There is no chronic
(long-term) infection.
- Once you have
had hepatitis A you cannot get it again.
- About 15% of
people infected with HAV will have prolonged or relapsing
symptoms over a 6-9 month period.
|
| TRANSMISSION |
- HAV is found
in the stool (feces) of persons with hepatitis A.
- HAV is usually spread
from person to person by putting something in the mouth (even
though it may look clean) that has
been contaminated with the stool of a person with hepatitis A.
|
| PERSONS
AT RISK OF INFECTION |
- Household contacts of infected
persons
- Sex contacts
of infected persons
- Persons,
especially children, living
in regions of the U.S. with consistently increased rates of hepatitis A
(view
map)
- Persons
traveling to countries where hepatitis A is common (view
map)
- Men who have sex with
men
- Injecting and
non-injecting drug users
|
| PREVENTION |
- Hepatitis A
vaccine is the best protection.
- Short-term
protection against hepatitis A is available from immune
globulin. It can be given before and within 2 weeks after
coming in contact with HAV.
- Always wash your hands with soap and water after using the
bathroom, changing a diaper, and before preparing and eating food.
|
| VACCINE
RECOMMENDATIONS |
Vaccine
is recommended for the following persons 2 years of age and older:
- Travelers to
areas with increased rates of hepatitis A (view
map)
- Men who have
sex with men
- Injecting
and non-injecting drug users
- Persons with
clotting-factor disorders (e.g. hemophilia)
- Persons with
chronic liver disease
- Children
living in regions of the U.S. with consistently increased rates of hepatitis
A (view
map)
|
| TRENDS &
STATISTICS
|
- Occurs in
epidemics both nationwide and in communities
- During
epidemic years, the number of reported cases reached 35,000.
- In the late
1990s, hepatitis A vaccine was more widely used and the number
of cases reached historic lows.
- One-third of
Americans had evidence of past infection (immunity).
|
