Hepatitis A

Reviewed July two thousand seventeen

Key facts

• Hepatitis A is a viral liver disease that can cause mild to severe illness.
• The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food and water or through direct contact with an infectious person.
• Almost everyone recovers fully from hepatitis A with a lifelong immunity. However, a very petite proportion of people infected with hepatitis A could die from fulminant hepatitis.
• The risk of hepatitis A infection is associated with a lack of safe water, and poor sanitation and hygiene (such as dirty palms).
• Epidemics can be explosive and cause substantial economic loss.
• A safe and effective vaccine is available to prevent hepatitis A.
• Safe water supply, food safety, improved sanitation, palm washing and the hepatitis A vaccine are the most effective ways to combat the disease.

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