What is Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is one of many hepatitis viruses causing inflammation of the liver. Each year 125,000 Americans are infected with HAV. A positive blood test for hepatitis A, called IgM hepatitis A antibody test, indicates that you are infected.  Transmission Hepatitis A is spread most often directly from person to person:

· Anal/oral contact, by putting something in the mouth that had been contaminated with infected feces.
· Diaper changing tables, if not cleaned properly or changed after each use, may facilitate the spread of HAV.
  Fecal residue may remain on the hands of people changing soiled diapers.
· Fecal contamination of food and water.
· Food handlers who are infected can pass the virus on if they do not wash their hands with soap and water 
  after having a bowel movement especially when preparing foods that are not cooked afterwards.
· Eating raw or partially cooked shellfish (clams, oysters, or mussels) contaminated with HAV can spread the
  virus.

Symptoms

· Children with hepatitis A usually have no symptoms.
· Adults may become quite ill suddenly, experiencing jaundice, fatigue nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark
  urine/light stools and fever.
· The incubation period averages 30 days; however, an infected individual can transmit the virus to others as 
  early as two weeks before symptoms appear.
· Symptoms will disappear over a 3 to 6-month period until complete recovery occurs.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A. However, the infection will clear up on its own in a few weeks or months with no serious after effects. Once recovered, an individual is then immune (not infectious) and cannot contract hepatitis A again. However, their blood test will always be positive for hepatitis A. About 1 in 1000 with hepatitis A suffer from a sudden and severe infection (fulminant) that may require a liver transplant.


Prevention

Immune globulin (IG) can provide a temporary immunity to the virus for 2 to 3 months if given prior to exposure to HAV or within 2 weeks after exposure.
Hepatitis A vaccines, are made from inactivated (killed) hepatitis A virus. It is highly effective in preventing the
hepatitis A infection. Check with your doctor to determine how many shots are needed. The vaccine provides
protection two to four weeks after the first injection. A second injection results in long-lasting protection, possibly 20 years or longer. Twinrix, a vaccine that combines hepatitis A and B, may be given to individuals 18 years and over. The vaccine is licensed for persons 2 years of age and older and is recommended for:

· Individuals who have chronic liver disease or clotting factor disorders.
· Those who travel or work in developing countries (this includes all countries except northern and western
  Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and North America, except Mexico).
· Men who have sex with other men;
· Users of illicit drugs.
· Children in populations that have repeated epidemics of hepatitis A (Alaska natives, American Indians, and
  certain closed religious communities) and states or counties that have consistently elevated rates of hepatitis
  A.
· A combined hepatitis A & B vaccine is available for those over 18 years of age.