This can occur when an individual eats or drinks food or water contaminated with hepatitis A virus, or has direct contact with an infected person who has poor personal hygiene. Food can become contaminated by being handled or prepared by an infected individual who has poor personal hygiene. Shellfish, such as clams and oysters, may be contaminated if they have been harvested from waters that have been contaminated by sewage containing hepatitis A virus. An individual infected with hepatitis A may have no symptoms, or may have a range of symptoms including fatigue, poor appetite, fever and vomiting. Infants and young children tend to have no symptoms or very mild symptoms and are less likely to develop jaundice than older individuals.
Most individuals recover fully within a few weeks.
Symptoms of hepatitis A usually appear within 3 to 4 weeks after swallowing the virus, but may appear as quickly as 14 days or take as long as 2 months. Hepatitis A is diagnosed by a blood test for hepatitis A antibodies. No specific medication or antibiotic is required for hepatitis A. Most individuals recover fully on their own within a few weeks. This usually lasts no longer that 1 week after the onset of jaundice or peak of symptoms if there is no jaundice. There is no carrier state.