Overview
Hepatitis A is a virus that can infect the liver. Most people who get it get better within 3 months and don't have liver problems later.
This virus is found in stool (feces). You can get it if you eat food or drink water that was in contact with infected stool. You can also get it from close contact with an infected person.
Common symptoms include feeling tired or having yellow eyes and skin (jaundice). They also include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and a severe loss of water (dehydration).
Some people don't notice any symptoms for up to 30 days. But even without symptoms, you still can give the infection to other people.
Some people get a shot if they know they were exposed to the virus in the past 2 weeks. Ask your doctor if you need a hepatitis A vaccine or an immunoglobulin shot. These may prevent getting infected with hepatitis A.
After you get hepatitis A one time, you can't get it again. But you can still get other types of hepatitis.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
Enter R693 in the search box to learn more about "Hepatitis A: Care Instructions".