Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. The virus is one of several types of hepatitis viruses that can cause inflammation and affect the liver’s ability to function.
Hepatitis A is acquired from contaminated food or water or from close contact with a person or object that’s infected.
Disease Reporting Requirement
All practitioners, health care facilities, and laboratories in Florida are required to notify the Florida Department of Health of diseases or conditions of public health significance under section 381.0031, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 64D-3, Florida Administrative Code.
Mild cases of hepatitis A don’t require treatment. Most people who are infected recover completely with no permanent liver damage.
Transmission
The hepatitis A virus is found in the stool and blood of people who are infected. The hepatitis A virus is spread primarily through the oral-fecal route, when someone ingests the virus, usually through close personal contact with an infected person or from eating contaminated food or drink.
Symptoms
Not everyone with hepatitis A has symptoms. Adults are more likely to have symptoms than children. Symptoms of hepatitis A usually appear 2-7 weeks after exposure and can include the following:
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Dark urine or light-colored stools
- Fever
- Feeling tired
- Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)
People who get hepatitis A may feel sick for a few weeks to several months but usually recover completely and do not have lasting liver damage. In some people, the illness may be so severe that the person needs to be hospitalized.
In rare cases, hepatitis A can cause liver failure and even death. This is more common in older people and in people with other serious health issues, such as chronic liver disease.
Testing
Learn more about screening and testing testing services available at a local county health department.
Risk Factors
Although anyone can get hepatitis A, certain groups are at higher risk of getting or experiencing severe illness from hepatitis A, such as:
- International travelers
- Men who have sex with men
- People who use or inject drugs
- People experiencing homelessness
- People with occupational risk for exposure
Those at an Increased risk of experiencing severe illness include:
- People with chronic liver disease, including hepatitis B and hepatitis C
- Persons with HIV
Prevention
Practicing good hand hygiene is also important to preventing the spread of hepatitis A, including thoroughly washing hands after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before preparing or eating food. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not kill the virus.
Historically, many cases of hepatitis A in Florida have been associated with international travel.
Consistent with national trends, from 2018-20 Florida experienced a large epidemic of hepatitis A, particularly among persons who use drugs and persons experiencing homelessness.
In 2022, Florida experienced a slight increase in hepatitis A compared to 2021, primarily among men who have sex with men. In 2023, hepatitis A cases in Florida fell to 100 cases, the lowest level for more than a decade.
Resources
Hepatitis Resource Guide, by county
Surveillance Reports and Data
Reports by Month
Viral Hepatitis Planning Group
The Florida Viral Hepatitis Planning Group was established in 2004 to encourage and promote the combined efforts of dedicated, skilled individuals and organizations to reduce the growing burden of viral hepatitis on Floridians, their families, and communities. The group includes representation from the community, private health care, public health, corrections, academic institutions, drug treatment, and other areas.
Currently, the Hepatitis Prevention Program is working to establish a statewide Viral Hepatitis Elimination Plan under a new advisory group.
Information for Health Care Providers
Hepatitis 101 Training: Introduction to Hepatitis A, B, and C
This webinar is a one-hour, basic training and can be accessed through TRAIN Florida.
- Any health care worker can participate in the training
- Course number 1055759
- View how to setup a Florida TRAIN account
Continuing education credit of one hour is available for all licensed nurses in the state of Florida. Upon completion, you will have the option to print out a certificate. We also create a weekly report of nurses who take the class and send the information to the Office of Performance Improvement for CEUs.
Learning Objectives
- Describe symptoms, risk factors, and modes of transmission for hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV)
- Identify individuals who should be referred for hepatitis vaccination and/or testing
- Facilitate a provider-client conversation on viral hepatitis risk factors and test results
- Recognize laboratory test results
- Describe risk factors for HIV and hepatitis co-infection
Viral Serology Training
This is a one-hour overview of laboratory testing, results, and interpretations, and can be accessed through TRAIN Florida.
- Any health care worker can participate in the training
- Course number 1059496
- View how to setup a Florida TRAIN account
Continuing education credit of one hour is available for all licensed nurses in the state of Florida. Upon completion, you will have the option to print out a certificate. We also create a weekly report of nurses who take the class and send the information to the Office of Performance Improvement for CEUs.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the available serological tests for hepatitis A, B, and C
- Provide an overview of interpretations for hepatitis A, B, and C test results
- Distinguish between acute and chronic viral hepatitis infections, and the serological makers associated with each
- Understand the efficacy of the viral hepatitis vaccine and make recommendations to clients