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Hepatitis A Virus Infection

Hepatitis A is a liver infection that is caused by the hepatitis A virus. Anyone can get hepatitis A, but children and people who live in, or travel to, countries where hepatitis A is common are more likely to get it. Once you have had hepatitis A, you cannot get sick from it again.

There are approximately 10–30 cases of hepatitis A reported in Wisconsin each year. Hepatitis A rates in the U.S. have declined by more than 95% since the hepatitis A vaccine first became available in 1995. There have been multi-state outbreaks in recent years.

To learn more about hepatitis A cases in Wisconsin view the 2023 Wisconsin Hepatitis A Virus Surveillance Annual Review, P-03599 (PDF).

For information on hepatitis B, C, D, and E, visit our Viral Hepatitis Infections page.

Graph showing Hepatitis A Cases in Wisconsin from 1988-2024
Data Source: Wisconsin Department of Health Services

About hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is spread through person-to-person contact, or by eating or drinking food or water with the hepatitis A virus in it.

Hepatitis A is found in the poop of people who have the virus. Hepatitis A can be spread when:

  • Someone with hepatitis A uses the bathroom, does not wash their hands properly, and then touches objects or prepares food.
  • A caregiver does not properly wash their hands after changing diapers or cleaning up the poop of someone with hepatitis A.
  • Someone uses drugs.
  • Food or water has the hepatitis A virus. This most often happens in countries where hepatitis A is common.
  • Someone has sexual contact with an infected person.

Adult curled up on their side on a bed with their hands on stomach

Symptoms usually start about four weeks after the hepatitis A virus enters your body. However, they can start between two and seven weeks after the virus enters your body.

Hepatitis A can develop over several days, and usually lasts less than two months, but may last as long as six months.

Some people with hepatitis A do not have any symptoms. Infants and young children tend to have very mild or no symptoms. People can spread the disease for two weeks before symptoms show up.

Common signs and symptoms of hepatitis A

  • Fever
  • Tiredness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Stomach pain
  • Dark urine (pee)
  • Grey-colored poop
  • Joint pain
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)

There are no medicines that specifically treat hepatitis A. Eating well, getting enough rest, and drinking fluids are usually what is needed to recover.

Some people may need to be hospitalized, but people rarely die from hepatitis A.

Vial of inactivated Hepatitis A vaccine
  • The single best way to prevent a hepatitis A infection is by getting vaccinated against the virus. The vaccine is recommended for all children one year of age or older and other groups of people who are at high risk for getting hepatitis A. These groups include:
  • Travelers to countries where hepatitis A is common. Visit the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Hepatitis A webpage for more information on hepatitis A and international travel.
  • Family and caregivers of those from countries where hepatitis A is common.
  • People with chronic or long-term liver disease.
  • Men who have sexual contact with other men.
  • Users of recreational drugs, whether injected or not.
  • People with blood clotting disorders.

See the CDC Hepatitis A Vaccine Information Statement for more information.

  • It is always important to wash your hands properly after using the toilet, changing diapers, and before touching any food. Check out our Wash Your Hands! P-01710, fact sheet for information on proper handwashing techniques.
  • People who have been exposed to hepatitis A should get one dose of the vaccine or immune globulin as soon as possible, but not more than 14 days after they were exposed. People who have been in close contact with someone who has hepatitis A should talk with their doctor as soon as possible to see if they should get the vaccine.

Fact sheets and flyers

Webpages

Looking to order the printed materials listed in this section?

  1. Go to the DHS Publication Ordering webpage.
  2. Fill out the DHS Publication Order Form (F-80025A).
  3. Complete the form by tabbing through the input fields, NOT by using the return/enter key. Note: Order only a three-month supply.
  4. From the toolbar, choose File, Save As, give the document a name, and save it to a location on your computer that you will remember. Close the file.
  5. After the form is completed, email it as an attachment to dhsfmorder@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
  6. If you are unable to place your order electronically or have questions, call 608-266-8502 or email the DHS Forms Center at dhsfmorder@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

Provider information

This is a Wisconsin disease surveillance category I disease:

  • Health care providers should report IMMEDIATELY by TELEPHONE to the patient's local public health department upon identification of a confirmed or suspected case.
  • Report to the patient's local public health department electronically, through the Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System (WEDSS), by mail or fax using an Acute and Communicable Disease Case Report, F-44151 (Word), or by other means within 24 hours upon recognition of a case.

Information on communicable disease reporting

Wisconsin case reporting and public health follow-up guidelines:

Questions about hepatitis A virus infection? Contact us!

Phone: 608-267-9003 | Fax: 608-261-4976

Wisconsin Local Health Departments – Regional offices – Tribal agencies

Related pages

Glossary

 
Last revised February 11, 2025