--- title: Hepatitis A date: 2005-07-05T18:19:16-07:00 author: Bill Marler canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/news_events/hepatitis-a-1" section: News --- [All News](/news_events) / # Hepatitis A From the CDC SIGNS & SYMPTOMS Adults will have signs and symptoms more often than children. jaundice fatigue abdominal pain loss of appetite nausea diarrhea fever CAUSE Hepatitis A virus (HAV) 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 areas with increased rates of hepatitis A during the baseline period from 1987-1997. (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 areas with increased rates of hepatitis A during the baseline period from 1987-1997. (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. 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