Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A

• Hepatitis A is a serious liver disease caused by a virus. The virus is found in the feces (poop) of infected people.
• The hepatitis A virus is spread when invisible particles of feces (poop) get into your mouth. You can get hepatitis A by eating contaminated food or water, during sex, or just by living with an infected person.
• If you get infected with hepatitis A, your skin and eyes can turn yellow. You can get very sick for weeks and may need to be hospitalized, and even die. Some people don’t feel sick, but they can still spread the virus to others.
• You are more likely to be infected with the virus if you use illegal drugs, have sex with an infected person, or care for a recently arrived unvaccinated child from a country where hepatitis A is common.
• You are more likely to have severe illness if you have chronic liver disease.
• Vaccination is the best way to prevent hepatitis A.

 

Two doses of hepatitis A vaccine are recommended for all children beginning at age 12 months. The two doses should be separated by 6 months. Older children can receive it as well. If you didn’t get the vaccine as a child, you should get vaccinated if you are in a group at risk for hepatitis A, or just if you want to be protected.