Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is an infectious, vaccine-preventable liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus, one of five known hepatitis viruses. Many cases have few or no symptoms, especially in the young. When symptoms occur they begin two to six weeks after exposure, typically last eight weeks, and may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, fever and abdominal pain. It is typically a foodborne illness, usually spread by eating food or drinking water contaminated with infected feces, and it may also spread through close contact with an infectious person. After a single infection a person is immune for the rest of their life. Diagnosis requires blood testing, and prevention rests on the vaccine, hand washing and properly cooked food.