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HEPATITIS A VIRUS
(HAV)
CDC FACTS
Information on this page taken directly from CDC data.
- Signs & Symptoms
- Adults infected with HAV will have signs and symptoms
more often than children.
- Symptoms of HAV infection include: jaundice, fatigue,
abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea and fever.
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- Long-Term Effects
- There is no chronic (long-term) infection.
- Once you have had HAV you cannot get it again
- About 15% of people infected with HAV will have
prolonged or relapsing symptoms over a 6-9 month period.
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- Transmission
- HAV is found in the stool (feces) of persons with
hepatitis A.
- HAV is usually spread from person to person by
putting something in the mouth (even though it may look clean) that has been
contaminated with the stool of a person with hepatitis A.
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- Persons at Risk of Infection
- Household contacts of infected persons
- Sex contacts of infected persons
- Persons, especially children, living in areas with
increased rated of HAV during the baseline period from 1987-1997
- Persons traveling to countries where HAV is common
- Men who have sex with men
- Injecting and non-injecting drug users
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- Prevention
- HAV vaccine is the best protection
- Short-term protection against HAV is available from
immune globulin. It can be given before and within 2 weeks after
coming in contact with HAV
- Always wash your hands with soap and water after
using the bathroom, changing a diaper, and before preparing and eating food
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- Vaccine Recommendations
- Vaccine for HAV is recommended for the
following persons 2 years of age and older:
- Travelers to areas with
increased rates of HAV
- Men who have sex with men
- Injecting and non-injecting
drug users
- Persons with clotting-factor
disorders (e.g., hemophilia)
- Persons with chronic liver
disease
- Children living in areas with
increased rates of HAV during the baseline period of 1987-1997
FOR MORE
INFORMATION ON HEPATITIS A AND OTHER ILLNESSES
GO TO
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
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