However, it’s important to note that hepatitis A can be contagious even in the absence of symptoms.
#CDC HEPATITIS A TRANSMISSION SKIN#
Individuals with an HAV infection are generally able to transfer the virus to others for approximately 2 weeks before symptoms appear until about 1 week after the onset of jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) or other symptoms. It’s also transmitted quickly in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene. HAV is primarily transmitted through the fecal-oral route, meaning it’s passed along when people come into contact with the feces of an individual who has an HAV infection or consume food or water contaminated with the virus.įor instance, HAV transmission can occur if a person with an infection does not wash their hands properly after using the bathroom and then handles food or objects that others subsequently eat or touch. Yes, HAV is highly contagious, and both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals can transfer the virus. Among older children and adults, HAV infection typically leads to symptomatic illness, with more than 70% of individuals developing jaundice. Among children under age 6 years, the majority ( 70%) of infections do not cause any noticeable symptoms. However, since many people don’t seek medical attention, this number may be closer to 24,900.Īdditionally, in countries or areas with poor sanitation and a lack of safe drinking water, hepatitis A rates tend to be higher. In 2018, 12,474 hepatitis A cases were reported in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Unlike hepatitis B and hepatitis C, HAV infection does not lead to chronic liver disease and often resolves on its own without causing long-term damage. HAV is classified as an RNA virus due to its genetic material consisting of ribonucleic acid (RNA) instead of DNA. It’s caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), which belongs to a family of viruses called picornaviruses.
Hepatitis A is a viral infection that specifically targets the liver.
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