![]() ![]() The virus can survive for several hours outside the body but persists on the hands and in food for even longer. The risk of death from fulminant hepatitis increases with age. This is an acute form of hepatitis that can cause liver failure. The severity of the disease is more severe in older age groups and for people with existing liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.Ĭomplications of hepatitis A are rare, but the infection can lead to fulminant hepatitis. Hepatitis A does not cause chronic (long-lasting) liver disease. Most people who have a relapse fully recover. Complications of hepatitis AĪround 10% of people who have had hepatitis A experience a relapse (become unwell again with hepatitis A). Prior infection with hepatitis B or hepatitis C does not offer immunity for hepatitis A. Most people fully recover from hepatitis A infection.Ī single infection of hepatitis A leads to lifelong immunity. Many infected people, particularly children less than 5 years old, show few or no symptoms.įor older children and adults, the symptoms of hepatitis A include: The average incubation period (the time between infection taking place and symptoms appearing) for the virus is 28 days. You can become ill any time between 2 and 4 weeks after coming into contact with the hepatitis A virus. The first sign of an outbreak is usually when a parent or childcare worker becomes sick. Children under 5 years of age often don’t show any symptoms, but can infect childcare workers or other children (for example during nappy changes). Hepatitis A outbreaks can occur in childcare centres. Hepatitis A is more common in low socioeconomic countries with reduced access to clean water supplies and sanitation (sewerage) facilities. There have been outbreaks of hepatitis A associated with eating contaminated farmed and distributed foods (for example shellfish), and among particular groups (people experiencing homelessness, people who inject drugs and men who have sex with men). The hepatitis A virus is highly infectious and is spread when traces of faeces/stools (poo) containing the virus contaminate hands, objects, water or food.Īnyone can be at risk of hepatitis A through ingesting food or drinks containing traces of the virus contaminated by a person with hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is a viral disease that affects the liver. ![]()
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