Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. The disease is spread primarily through food or water contaminated by stool from an infected person.
Sources | Shellfish from contaminated waters, raw produce, contaminated drinking water, uncooked foods and cooked foods that are not reheated after contact with an infected food handler |
Incubation Period | 28 days average (ranges from 15 to 50 days) |
Symptoms | Diarrhea, dark urine, jaundice, and flu-like symptoms (fever, headache, nausea, and abdominal pain) |
Duration of Illness | Variable, from 2 weeks to 3 months |
What Do I Do? | See your doctor if you have signs or symptoms of hepatitis A or think you may have been exposed to the virus. Tests can accurately diagnose whether you've been infected. |
General Information
Hepatitis A (NIH MedlinePlus)
Trusted health information on causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.
Hepatitis A (CDC)
General information, including frequently asked questions and patient education resources.
Hepatitis A Virus (FDA)
From the Bad Bug Book; provides basic facts, including associated foods, frequency of disease, complications, and target populations.
