Hepatitis A

Alternative names:

acute viral hepatitis A

Definition:

An inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The hepatitis A virus is shed in the stools of an infected person 2 to 3 weeks before symptoms occur and during the first week of illness. Blood and secretions may also be infectious. The disease is transmitted by contaminated food or water. The virus does not remain in the body after the infection has resoslved, and there is no carrier state (a person who spreads the disease to others but does not become ill). The symptoms associated with hepatitis A are similar to the flu, but the skin and the eyes may become yellow (jaundice) because the liver is not able to filter bilirubin from the blood. The incidence is 1 out of 10,000 people. Risk factors include chronic institutionalization (nursing home or rehabilitation center), recent hepatitis A infection in family member, recent travel or immigration from Asia or South or Central America. Other hepatitis virus infections include hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus.