What is Hepatitis A
How to prevent Hepatitis A
Who should get a Hepatitis A vaccine
When to get a Hepatitis A vaccine
 What is Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a serious liver disease caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV is found in the
stool of persons with hepatitis A. It is usually spread by close personal contact and sometimes by
eating food or drinking water containing HAV.
Hepatitis A can cause:
- mild "flu-like" illness
- jaundice (yellow skin or eyes)
- severe stomach pains and diarrhea
People with Hepatitis A often have to be hospitalized (up to about 1 person in 5). Sometimes, Hepatitis A
causes death (about 100 per year in the U.S.). A person who has Hepatitis A can easily pass the disease
to others within the same household.
How to prevent Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A vaccine can prevent Hepatitis A.
Who should get a Hepatitis A vaccine
Some people should be routinely vaccinated with Hepatitis
A vaccine:
- Persons 2 years of age and older traveling to or working in countries with high or intermediate
prevalence of Hepatitis A, such as those located in Central or South America, the Caribbean,
Mexico, Asia (except Japan), Africa and eastern Europe
- Children and adolescents who live in states or communities where routine vaccination has
been recommended
- Men who have sex with men
- Persons who use street drugs
- Persons with chronic liver disease
- Persons who are treated with clotting factor concentrates
- Persons who work with HAV-infected primates or who work with HAV in research laboratories
- Hepatitis A vaccine might be recommended for children or adolescents in communities where
outbreaks of hepatitis A are occurring
People with Hepatitis A often have to be hospitalized (up to about 1 person in 5). Sometimes, Hepatitis A
causes death (about 100 per year in the U.S.). A person who has Hepatitis A can easily pass the disease
to others within the same household.
Hepatitis A vaccine can prevent Hepatitis A.
When to get a Hepatitis A vaccine
The Hepatitis A vaccine series may be started whenever a person is at risk of infection.
Two doses of the vaccine are needed for lasting protection. These doses should be given at least 6 months apart.
Additionally, Hepatitis A vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.
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