Viruses · Hepatitis & others
Hepatitis A virus
Acute hepatitis A
The short answer
Hepatitis A affects the liver. Unlike hepatitis B and C, it does not establish chronic infection, but it can occasionally cause severe liver failure.
Transmission and timing
It spreads through contaminated food or water and close contact. Transmission can precede symptoms; avoiding only visibly ill people is not enough.
CDC ↗Symptoms and risk groups
Fatigue, poor appetite, nausea, dark urine and jaundice may occur. Young children may have few symptoms; absence of jaundice does not exclude infection.
CDC ↗When to seek help
New yellowing of the skin or eyes needs prompt assessment. Appearance alone does not identify the cause; conditions other than hepatitis may also need investigation.
NHS ↗For life-threatening symptoms, severe breathing difficulty or altered consciousness, call your local emergency number (112 in Türkiye).
What does the test show?
Anti-HAV IgM helps investigate recent infection; IgG or total anti-HAV helps assess immunity. “Anti-HAV positive” alone does not diagnose acute illness.
CDC ↗Care and treatment approach
Care generally supports hydration, nutrition and symptom monitoring. Tell the clinician about medicines and supplements that may affect the liver; severe illness can require hospital care.
WHO ↗Prevention and everyday life
Vaccination and hand hygiene matter. Wash with soap after using the toilet or changing nappies and before preparing food; use safe food and water.
CDC ↗Special situations and risk groups
Older people and those with chronic liver disease may be at higher risk of severe illness. Discuss preventive options promptly after close exposure.
WHO ↗A common misunderstanding
Antibodies after vaccination or previous infection do not establish that someone is currently infectious. Interpret the test name, symptoms and timing together.
CDC ↗Clinical assessment note
IgM screening without symptoms can mislead. Assess suspected acute hepatitis with clinical findings and laboratory results, coordinating contact management with local public-health services.
CDC ↗Bring a question to your appointment
Does my result suggest recent infection or past infection/vaccination, and do close contacts need action today?
International evidence, local decisions
Each source’s country is identified. Vaccine access, reimbursement, isolation and reporting rules vary. Use current guidance and your clinician’s advice in your country; English does not imply UK or US eligibility.
Sources and supporting evidence
- WHO · Hepatitis A ↗
Country context: International · Source checked:
- CDC · Hepatitis A basics ↗
Country context: United States · Source checked:
- NHS · Jaundice ↗
Country context: United Kingdom · Source checked:
- CDC · Clinical screening and diagnosis for hepatitis A ↗
Country context: United States · Source checked:
Related topics
Version and change history
- Written by
- Doktorclub editorial team
- Medically reviewed
- Dr. Murat Toktamışoğlu
- Reviewed on
- 14 October 2026
- Next review
- 14 April 2027
- Version
- 1.0.0
- — Medical and language review completed for this language version.
- — Sourced draft prepared in the second content wave. Medical and language review have not been completed.
Doktorclub editorial content · Prepared with AI assistance and reviewed for medical accuracy and language. Information supports, but does not replace, clinical assessment. This guide does not diagnose or create a personal medication plan. Report a content correction · Editorial standards