Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Hepatitis A virus can infect anyone, but vaccines are available for long-term protection in persons 1 year of age and older. Good personal hygiene and proper sanitation can also help prevent the spread of hepatitis A.
Hepatitis A is most often spread by the fecal-oral route (an object contaminated with the stool of a person with hepatitis A is put into another person's mouth), or by swallowing food or water that contains the virus.
Hepatitis A vaccine is routinely recommended for all children and adolescents. It is also recommended for people who are at increased risk for infection, such as persons traveling to countries with high rates of hepatitis A, infants (aged 6-11 months) traveling outside the United States, persons aged 1 year or older infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), persons with chronic liver disease, pregnant women with increased risk for HAV infection during pregnancy, persons aged 1 year or older at risk for HAV infection during hepatitis A outbreaks, and persons providing services to adults in which a high proportion of persons have risk factors for HAV infection..
Source:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
You also may be interested in...
Fact Sheet
9/28/2020
This information paper describes hepatitis A virus and the vaccines to prevent the disease.
Recommended Content:
Hepatitis A
Fact Sheet
8/30/2019
This information paper describes the required number of doses, using various combinations of monovalent (single antigen) hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines and the bivalent (combination hepatitis A and hepatitis B) vaccine, to ensure adequate immunity against both diseases.
Recommended Content:
Hepatitis B | Hepatitis A
Report
5/10/2019
During 2016–2018, reports of hepatitis A infections in the United States increased by 294% compared with 2013–2015, related to outbreaks associated with contaminated food items, among men who have sex with men, and primarily, among persons who report drug use or homelessness.
Recommended Content:
Hepatitis A
Report
4/12/2019
During an ongoing Hepatitis A outbreak in Tennessee, it was found that previous vaccination did not reliably provide protection among some persons with HIV infection.
Recommended Content:
Hepatitis A
Report
4/12/2019
A hepatitis A outbreak among people experiencing homelessness or using drugs in West Virginia prompted a local health department to launch a vaccination campaign that included opt-out vaccination upon entry into homeless shelters; vaccinations at meal centers, drop-in centers, and other locations where services are provided to persons experiencing homelessness.
Recommended Content:
Hepatitis A
Report
2/15/2019
All persons aged ≥1 year experiencing homelessness should be routinely immunized against hepatitis A virus. Vaccination of homeless persons facilitates integration of hepatitis A vaccine into routine preventive services.
Recommended Content:
Hepatitis A
Report
11/2/2018
New recommendations have been issued regarding use of Hepatitis A vaccine and immune globulin in children and adults traveling internationally.
Recommended Content:
Hepatitis A
Report
11/2/2018
During 2017, four states reported 1,521 hepatitis A infections, mostly among persons who reported drug use or homelessness, signaling a shift in hepatitis A epidemiology from point-source outbreaks associated with contaminated food to large community outbreaks with person-to-person transmission.
Recommended Content:
Hepatitis A
Publication
11/1/2018
Epidemics of hepatitis A threaten wartime operations, particularly in highly endemic areas and during unstable (e.g., rapidly changing) field conditions.
Recommended Content:
Hepatitis A
Report
5/4/2018
A look at a recent outbreak of Hepatitis A in the Marshall Islands, where Hepatitis A vaccine is not currently included in the routine childhood immunization schedule.
Recommended Content:
Hepatitis A
Report
9/15/2017
GamaSTAN S/D, the immune globulin broduct approved for hepatitis A virus (HAV) prophylaxis, updated its prescribing information with changes to the dosing instructions for both preexposure and postexposure prophylaxis indications.
Recommended Content:
Hepatitis A
Showing results 1 - 13
Page 1 of 1