Hepatitis A

What is hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a disease of the liver caused by a virus. Hepatitis A infection usually causes a mild, short-term illness. In rare cases, hepatitis A can cause liver failure and even death.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis A?

Not everyone with hepatitis A has symptoms. If symptoms develop, they appear 2 to 7 weeks after exposure. Symptoms include:

  • Dark urine or clay-colored stools.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Feeling tired.
  • Fever.
  • Joint pain.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Nausea, stomach pain, throwing up.
  • Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice).

Some people with hepatitis A get so sick they need to stay in the hospital. Hepatitis A can sometimes cause liver failure and death. This is rare, and happens more in people aged 40 years or older, and people with other liver diseases like hepatitis B or C.

Unlike other types of viral hepatitis, hepatitis A does not cause long-term liver damage or chronic infection once someone recovers.

How does hepatitis A spread?

The hepatitis A virus lives in poop and spreads when someone puts infected food, drink, hands, or other items in their mouth. Things can be infected even if they look clean. People can spread the hepatitis A virus even if they don’t show symptoms.

Proper hygiene may reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of contracting hepatitis A infection. People should wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds regularly, always wash their hands before eating, and avoid touching their hands to their mouth.

How can we prevent hepatitis A?

The best protection against hepatitis A is by vaccination. Hepatitis A vaccination is usually given to children between 12 to 23 months of age, but all children and adults can receive hepatitis A vaccine if they are unvaccinated.

The majority of hepatitis A cases in Washington state are due to international travel. People traveling outside of the country should talk to their doctor about getting hepatitis A vaccination.

If you were exposed to hepatitis A recently and aren’t vaccinated, you should get a hepatitis A vaccine within two weeks.People over the age of 40 or those with specific health conditions may also receive immune globulin after exposure to hepatitis A. Immune globulin provides short-term protection against hepatitis A infection.

To learn if you are at high risk for hepatitis A and should get vaccinated, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Hepatitis A Prevention web page. To learn more about hepatitis A vaccination, please visit our Hepatitis A vaccination page.

Information for food establishments

Hepatitis A vaccination is not a routine recommendation for food workers unless there is a community outbreak. However, food handlers who want protection from hepatitis A can get vaccinated. Talk to your staff about health and sanitation when working with food. Food service workers must tell their manager right away if:

  • They have diarrhea or vomiting. The employee must stay away from the food establishment for at least 24 hours after symptoms stop.
  • They have jaundice (yellow color to skin and whites of the eyes) or are diagnosed with hepatitis A. The manager or owner must report these illnesses to the local health department.
  • They are a close contact of someone diagnosed with hepatitis A in the past 30 days. The employee must not touch ready-to-eat foods (like salads, sandwiches or other uncooked items) for at least 30 days.
  • Post handwashing reminder signs and train your employees to wash their hands well.
  • Monitor your employees for proper handwashing.
  • Barriers, like food service gloves, and kitchen utensils help stop the spread of hepatitis A. Workers should not touch ready-to-eat food with their bare hands.
  • Make sure workers properly clean and sanitize surfaces. Follow these special cleaning and disinfecting guidelines.

Hepatitis A Activity and Surveillance

Hepatitis A is a notifiable condition in Washington state. View the Hepatitis A notifiable conditions web page for details on reporting and other healthcare provider resources.

Hepatitis A Resources

Contact Us

Communicable Disease Epidemiology: 206-418-5500 or toll free 877-539-4344
Office of Immunization: 360-236-3595
Food Safety Program: 360-236-3330 or email food.safety@doh.wa.gov. Report foodborne illnesses or restaurant complaints using the Foodborne Illness Notification System (FINS).