Hepatitis A can be prevented. Learn more about hepatitis A and how you can protect yourself from this disease. In the United States, hepatitis A virus is present in most communities and can cause isolated cases of disease or widespread epidemics. Three of every four persons infected with hepatitis A virus have symptoms. When symptoms are present, they usually develop suddenly and may include fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine, and yellowing of the skin and eyeballs.
Adults have symptoms more often than children.
A person is most infectious about one week before symptoms appear and during the first week of symptoms. However, an infected person who has no symptoms can still spread the virus. Unlike some other forms of viral hepatitis, hepatitis A causes no long-term damage and is usually not fatal. Good personal hygiene, e.g., washing hands after using the bathroom, prevents the spread of hepatitis A virus infection. However, immune globulin, a blood by product, is used as temporary protection against this disease.