The Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a common infection in many parts of the world. It is possible to become infected through eating or drinking contaminated food or water. There is a vaccine for Hepatitis A.

How it's spread:

The Hepatitis A virus is found in feces. It can be passed on if even a tiny amount of feces from a person with hepatitis A comes into contact with another person's mouth. This means the virus can also be passed on sexually through practices such as oral-anal contact. Personal hygiene, with careful hand washing, can minimize the risk of the virus being passed.

Symptoms may include:

• A short, mild, flu-like illness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Jaundice (yellow skin and whites of eyes, darker yellow urine and pale feces)
• Itchy skin
• People may have no symptoms at all, but they can still pass on the hepatitis virus to others.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for Hepatitis A. Rest is recommended during the acute phase of the disease when the symptoms are most severe. People with acute Hepatitis should avoid alcohol and any substances that are toxic to the liver, including acetominophen (Tylenol).

Prevention

There’s an effective Hepatitis A vaccine and Hepatitis A and B combo vaccine. Hepatitis A can be transmitted by small particles of infected stool entering your mouth through anal contact and rimming. Using dams, and washing your hands after sex with an infected person, can help reduce the risk. It can also be passed on through using utensils handled by and infected person, or by eating infected food or drinking infected water. Click on the following link for a list of Hepatitis programs.