The virus enters through the mouth, multiplies in the body and is passed in the stool. If careful handwashing is not done, the virus can be carried on an infected person's hands and can be spread by direct contact, or by consuming food or drink handled by that person. Under normal circumstances, the Hepatitis A virus is not spread to classroom contacts or work associates. The symptoms and the severity of illness vary person to person. Symptoms can include fatigue, loss of appetite, fever, and vomiting.
Most people recover within two to three weeks with no complications.
Infants and young children tend to have mild symptoms or no symptoms and are less likely to develop jaundice than older children and adults. The time of exposure to the Hepatitis A virus, to the time of onset of symptoms ranges from 15 to 50 days. The period that an infected person is contagious varies from person to person. In general, an infected person begins shedding the virus one week before onset of symptoms and continues to shed the virus up to three to four days after onset of jaundice. Generally, bed rest is all that is needed.