Hepatitis A

Board of Health

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. Although rare, hepatitis A can cause death in some people. Hepatitis A usually spreads when a person unknowingly ingests the virus from objects, food, or drinks contaminated by small, undetected amounts of stool from an infected person. Hepatitis A can also spread from close personal contact with an infected person such as through sex or caring for someone who is ill.

People are considered infectious two weeks before onset of symptoms and up to one week after onset of jaundice.

If you have any of the following signs and symptoms, please contact your health care provider:

Fever
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Abdominal discomfort
Dark urine (brown in color)
Clay-colored bowel movement/stool
Joint pain
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

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hepatitis a faq's

Who is most at risk?

In Fulton County, adults with certain risky behaviors such as men who have sex with men (MSM) and illegal drug users are at risk for the disease.

Others at high risk include:

People who are experiencing unstable housing or homelessness
Individuals who are currently being treated for other infectious diseases such as HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs/STDs)
People with chronic liver disease including cirrhosis, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C
People who are, or were, recently incarcerated