hepatitis A

References

hepatitis A

pathology

Also known as: infectious hepatitis

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

Hepatitis A is an acute, typically benign liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It is transmitted through contaminated food or water, often in areas with poor sanitation. Symptoms can include fatigue, fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, and jaundice, though it can also be asymptomatic, especially in children. Unlike other forms of hepatitis, hepatitis A does not lead to chronic illness or permanent liver damage and most individuals recover fully with supportive care. Vaccines are available for prevention.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

virus
Chronic and slowly progressive diseases
Hepatitis A is caused by a picornavirus usually transmitted by the fecal-oral route in a manner similar to that of poliovirus. Hepatitis B is caused by a small DNA virus that contains its own DNA polymerase and is transmitted by transfusion of blood and other blood…
Read More
Hepatitis A is caused by a picornavirus usually transmitted by the fecal-oral route in a manner similar to that of poliovirus. Hepatitis B is caused by a small DNA virus that contains its own DNA polymerase and is transmitted by transfusion of blood and other blood…
Read More

digestive system disease
Acute hepatocellular hepatitis
…of being ill, since their disease remains asymptomatic or quite mild. The incubation period of HAV infections, from viral ingestion to the onset of symptoms, averages four to five weeks. Acute illness in an otherwise healthy pregnant woman does not appear to have adverse effects upon the fetus. Persons can…
Read More
…of being ill, since their disease remains asymptomatic or quite mild. The incubation period of HAV infections, from viral ingestion to the onset of symptoms, averages four to five weeks. Acute illness in an otherwise healthy pregnant woman does not appear to have adverse effects upon the fetus. Persons can…
Read More

List of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
Hepatitis A and B
…Administration (FDA), which approved another hepatitis A vaccine, Vaqta, the following year; both were recommended for individuals ages 12 months and older. A combination vaccine for protection against both hepatitis A and hepatitis B (Twinrix) was later made available for adults ages 18 and older. All three vaccines are highly…
Read More
…Administration (FDA), which approved another hepatitis A vaccine, Vaqta, the following year; both were recommended for individuals ages 12 months and older. A combination vaccine for protection against both hepatitis A and hepatitis B (Twinrix) was later made available for adults ages 18 and older. All three vaccines are highly…
Read More

childhood disease and disorder
Gastrointestinal and liver disorders
…main forms of the disease, hepatitis A and hepatitis B, occur in children. These two forms were distinguished initially by their clinical characteristics and are now recognized to be caused by two different viruses. Hepatitis A (infectious hepatitis) is highly contagious and can be passed from person to person directly,…
Read More
…main forms of the disease, hepatitis A and hepatitis B, occur in children. These two forms were distinguished initially by their clinical characteristics and are now recognized to be caused by two different viruses. Hepatitis A (infectious hepatitis) is highly contagious and can be passed from person to person directly,…
Read More

infectious disease
HISG
…and for the prevention of hepatitis A and hepatitis B viral infections, measles, chickenpox, rubella, and polio.
Read More
…and for the prevention of hepatitis A and hepatitis B viral infections, measles, chickenpox, rubella, and polio.
Read More

hepatitis
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A, caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), is the most common worldwide. It is considered an acute infection and does not give rise to chronic hepatitis. Its onset usually occurs 15 to 45 days after exposure to the virus, and some…
Read More
Hepatitis A, caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), is the most common worldwide. It is considered an acute infection and does not give rise to chronic hepatitis. Its onset usually occurs 15 to 45 days after exposure to the virus, and some…
Read More