Though hepatitis A (HAV) is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. Thankfully, the virus is entirely vaccine preventable. Hepatitis A is transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food and water or through direct contact with an infectious person.
All children should receive the hepatitis A vaccine between 12 and 23 months of age. People who are more likely to be infected and people with chronic liver disease should also receive the vaccine. The hepatitis A vaccine is given in two shots. You should get the second shot 6 to 12 months after the first shot. You need to get both shots to be fully protected against the virus.
Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, jaundice, dark urine or feces, and fever. People infected with hepatitis A usually recover after four to eight weeks. HAV never develops past its acute infection phase and is rarely fatal unless one has a concurrent hepatitis C infection. In rare cases, hepatitis A can be severe and lead to liver failure and the need for an emergency liver transplant to survive. After recovering from HAV, the body develops antibodies which prevent future infections. These antibodies do not protect individuals from hepatitis B or hepatitis C, which are caused by entirely different viruses.
You can take steps to protect yourself from hepatitis A, including getting the hepatitis A vaccine. If you have hepatitis A, you can take steps to prevent spreading hepatitis A to others. The most important prevention is vaccination and hand washing. You can reduce your chance of spreading viruses by washing your hands with warm, soapy water after using the toilet and before fixing or eating food. If you are sick, avoid close contact with others, and don’t prepare food or serve food to others. If you have symptoms and believe you may be infected, please call your health care provider.
To schedule an appointment to get tested several communicable diseases, including hepatitis, and to receive needed immunizations, call the Malheur County Health Department at (541) 889-7279.
Malheur County Health Department 