--- title: Complications of Hepatitis A Infection date: 2021-01-06T18:14:00-08:00 author: admin canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-complications" section: Resource Library --- [Foodborne Illnesses](/foodborne-illnesses) / [Hepatitis A](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a) / # Complications of Hepatitis A Infection ### Fulminant hepatitis A, or acute liver failure, can be a complication of hepatitis A infection. Fulminant hepatitis A is a rare but devastating complication of HAV infection. As many as 50 percent of individuals with acute liver failure may die or require emergency liver transplantation. Fatality rates for hepatitis A are estimated to be 0.3-0.6% of cases across all age groups. Elderly patients and patients with chronic liver disease are at higher risk for fulminant hepatitis A. In parallel with a declining incidence of acute HAV infection in the general population, the incidence of fulminant HAV appears to be decreasing. ![](https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/abouthepatitiscom-images/outbreaks/image6.jpeg)Hepatitis A infects the liver’s parenchymal cells (internal liver cells). Once a cell has been penetrated by the viral particles, the hepatitis A virus releases its own toxins that cause, in essence, a hostile takeover of the host’s cellular system. The cell then produces new viral components that are released into the bile capillaries or tubes that run between the liver’s parenchymal cells. This process results in the death of liver cells, called hepatic necrosis. The fulminant form of hepatitis occurs when this necrotic process kills so many liver cells—upwards of three-quarters of the liver’s total cell count—that the liver can no longer perform its job. Aside from the loss of liver function, fulminant hepatic failure can lead to encephalopathy and cerebral edema. Encephalopathy is a brain disorder that causes central nervous system depression and abnormal neuromuscular function. Cerebral edema is a swelling of the brain that can result in dangerous intracranial pressure. Intracranial hypertensions, leading to brain stem death and sepsis with multiple organ failures, are the leading causes of death in individuals with fulminant hepatic failure. [ Next: Diagnosis of Hepatitis A Infection › ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-diagnosis) ### More information about Hepatitis A [May 20, 2023 ###### A quick look at the 2018 Hepatitis A outbreak Litigation proceeded in a Virginia state court against Tropical Smoothie and the strawberry supply chain. 134 people with Hepatitis A were reported from nine states, including: Arkansas (1), California (1) ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/a-quick-look-at-the-2018-hepatitis-a-outbreak) [March 26, 2023 ###### Hepatitis A outbreak linked to strawberries The CDC, state public health and regulatory officials, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating an outbreak of Hepatitis A linked to frozen organic strawberries imported from certain ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/hepatitis-a-outbreak-linked-to-strawberries) [December 11, 2022 ###### Since 2016, the US has seen 44,760 Hepatitis A cases with 27,327 hospitalizations and 426 deaths According to the CDC, when hearing about hepatitis A, many people think about contaminated food and water. However, in the United States, hepatitis A is more commonly spread from person ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/since-2016-the-us-has-seen-44760-hepatitis-a-cases-with-27327-hospitalizations-and-426-deaths) [December 11, 2022 ###### Famous Anthony’s Hepatitis A case moves towards justice The Roanoke Times reports: The victims of a hepatitis A outbreak at a Roanoke restaurant — which killed four people and sickened more than 40 — were allowed Thursday to ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/famous-anthonys-hepatitis-a-case-moves-towards-justice) [1. View all ](/news_events/outbreaks?illness=hepatitis-a&year=all) ## All Hepatitis A Resources [###### Hepatitis A Food Poisoning ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/about-hepatitis) [###### The Incidence of Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/how-common-is-hepatitis-a-infection) [###### Transmission of Hepatitis A ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/how-does-hepatitis-a-spread) [###### Symptoms of Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-symptoms-risks) [###### Complications of Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-complications) [###### Diagnosis of Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-diagnosis) [###### Treatment for Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-treatment) [###### Real Life Impacts of Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/real-life-impacts) [###### Real Life Impacts: The Story of Michael ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/real-life-impacts-the-story-of-michael) [###### Real Life Impacts: The Story of Ben and Lynn ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/real-life-impacts-the-story-of-ben-and-lynn) [###### Real Life Impacts: The Story of Richard Miller ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/real-life-impacts-the-story-of-richard-miller) [###### How to Prevent Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-prevention) [###### Outbreaks of Hepatitis A ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-outbreaks) [###### Hepatitis A References ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-a-references) ### Other foodborne illnesses [E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli) [Salmonella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella) [Listeria](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria) [Reactive Arthritis](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/reactive-arthritis) [Guillain-Barre Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/guillain-barre-syndrome) [Irritable Bowel Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome) [Norovirus](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus) [Botulism](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/botulism) [Campylobacter](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter) [Shigella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella) [Cyclospora](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora) [Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hemolytic-uremic-syndrome)