Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. Hepatitis A can affect anyone. In the United States, hepatitis A can occur in situations ranging from isolated cases of disease to widespread epidemics. Good personal hygiene and proper sanitation can help prevent hepatitis A. Vaccines are also available for long-term prevention of hepatitis A virus infection in persons 12 months of age and older. Immune globulin is available for short-term prevention of hepatitis A virus infection in individuals of all ages. Hepatitis A is one type of hepatitis - a liver disease - caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). The disease is spread primarily through food or water contaminated by stool from an infected person. The hepatitis A vaccine can prevent HAV. Healthy habits also make a difference. Wash your hands thoroughly before preparing food, after using the toilet or after changing a diaper. International travelers should be careful about drinking tap water. Causes Your liver is primarily located on the right side of your abdomen, just beneath your lower ribs. It performs many functions, including processing most of the nutrients absorbed from your intestines, removing drugs, alcohol and other harmful substances from your bloodstream, and manufacturing bile — the greenish fluid stored in your gallbladder that helps digest fats. Symptoms The symptoms of hepatitis A may range from mild to severe and can include an abrupt onset of fever, malaise, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach pain, dark-colored urine and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes). The disease is rarely fatal and most people recover in a few weeks without any complications. Adults have signs and symptoms of illness more often than children. Infants and young children tend to have very mild symptoms and are less likely to develop jaundice than are older children and adults. Not everyone who is infected will have all of the symptoms. Diagnosis Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and where you have eaten or traveled. You may have blood tests if your doctor thinks you have the virus. These tests can tell if your liver is inflamed and whether you have antibodies to the hepatitis A virus. These antibodies prove that you have been exposed to the virus. Take steps to avoid passing hepatitis A on to others. Tell people you live with or have sex with that you have hepatitis A. Wash your hands with soap and hot water right after you use the bathroom or change a diaper and before you prepare food. Prevention Hepatitis A vaccine, immune globulin (IG), or both, are recommended for all susceptible persons traveling to or working in countries with an intermediate or high endemicity of HAV infection. Health-care providers should administer hepatitis A vaccination for persons traveling for any purpose, frequency or duration to countries that have high or intermediate endemicity of HAV infection. Treatment There is no medication to treat or cure hepatitis A. If you have the virus, you should get plenty of rest, eat a balanced diet and avoid alcohol and acetaminophen (one brand: Tylenol). Talk with your doctor about any other over-the-counter medications you are taking, as they may need to be changed or stopped while you have hepatitis A.