Lots of Hep A Questions

  Hi
  I recently got a blood test for Hepatitis. It came back negative
  in all respects but one. The doctor told me that I have a
  history of a past infection from Hepatitis A in my blood.
  This being said, she tells me I have NOTHING to worry about
  because my liver looks fine and there are no C or B signs.
  She says it is like getting the chicken pox or something.
  Now I have a bunch of questions.
  So, if there is evidence that I have had Hepatitis A, does that
  mean I have it now? If I don't have it now, can I get it again?
  Can I give it to people? Will this affect me at all now or just
  can I forget she told me? Can I give blood? If I get pregnant
  will this affect the child? Should I be eating better foods?
  Can a sex partner get this from me? What if we are involved
  in oral sex? Will this bother me later in life if not now? Are
  there other things I should be worrying about regarding this?
  Am at a higher risk for other stuff now?
  What is also really bothering me is how did I get this? Or
  rather when did I get this? Are there tests to show how long
  ago the infection happen? I went to Guatemala about 2 years ago
  but did get a Hepatitis A shot. I don't remember which type.
  If it is relevant, I can find out. Do these vaccines not work
  all the time? Could I have gotten the shot too close to the time
  I went on my trip? My other thought is that maybe I was born
  with this.  Is that possible? I had jaundice as a baby. I
  have heard there is a connection with the whole jaundice thing.
  If these are just too many questions for you, could you
  recommend a book or something that I could go buy? I have been
  trying to do research on this but everywhere I go there is
  understandably much more information on C and B.
  Thank you so much for your help.
  Samantha

[HFHSM.D.-D.M.]

_
Dear Samantha:
I really enjoyed your questions about hepatitis A.  They allow me to make some general comments about hepatitis A.  Moreover, I think I can really give you some good news.  
I am going to start by assuming that the test you had was the hepatitis A total antibody or hepatitis A IgG test.  If this test is positive, it means that you were either infected with hepatitis A in the past or that you were vaccinated.  In your case, it sounds as if either was possible.  I do want to stress that many people who are infected with hepatitis A never feel ill or only mildly ill so it is quite possible that you were infected with hepatitis A and never knew it.   I doubt that you were infected at birth.  It is technically possible but would be very unusual.  
In either case, I can guarantee with absolute certainly that you will not have any problems with your hepatitis A. Hepatitis A has absolutely no long-term complications of which we know.  In a small number of people (less than 1%), hepatitis A can completely destroy the liver at the time they are infected.  They may die or require liver transplant.  In about 10% of people, the hepatitis A can come back a few weeks to months after they first get it, but these people will than recover.  Otherwise, the vast majority of people will recover and never have problems from hepatitis A again.  
In your case, it sounds like you do not have hepatitis A, and you cannot give it to anyone else.   I doubt that you will ever get the hepatitis A again.  However, if you were vaccinated, it is possible you may need a booster in the future.  We just don