Hepatitis A virus is found in the stools of people with the disease. It is spread from person to person when hands become contaminated with the infected feces and then touch food or other objects that another person puts in his or her mouth. The most effective way to prevent the spread of hepatitis A infection is to wash hands thoroughly after using the bathroom or changing a diaper and before preparing food. While some people with hepatitis A may get sick enough to require hospitalization, the disease is generally not life-threatening. Children are usually not as sick with hepatitis A as adults and recover more quickly, sometimes having no symptoms of the disease at all.
Adults generally recover within two to four weeks.
Hepatitis A can be prevented by receiving the hepatitis A vaccine before exposure to the virus. Sandra Hilton is the communications director for San Juan Basin Health Department. All rights reserved.