Learn About Vaccine-Preventable Hepatitis*

Hepatitis A virus is present in the stool of the infected person.

Say an infected person doesn’t wash his or her hands properly after going to the bathroom, then prepares food—that could spread hepatitis A virus to others.

Or a parent or caregiver doesn’t properly wash his or her hands after changing diapers or cleaning up the stool of an infected person—that could spread hepatitis A virus to others.

Hepatitis A can also be spread by eating or drinking food or water contaminated with the virus. This is more likely to occur in countries where hepatitis A is common and in areas where there are poor sanitary conditions. Some possibly contaminated foods and drinks include fruits, vegetables, shellfish, ice, and water. In the US, as well as many other countries, chlorination of water kills hepatitis A virus that enters the water supply.

Hepatitis A can also be spread during oral-anal sexual activity with an infected person.

Hepatitis B virus can be spread through contact with blood, semen or other body fluids of an infected person.

Here are some examples of how hepatitis B virus can be spread to people who are not immune:

• a person has sex with an infected partner
• a person shares needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment with an infected person
• an infected mother passes the virus to her baby during delivery
• a person has direct contact with the blood or open sores of an infected person
• a person (such as a healthcare provider) is exposed to blood from needle sticks or other sharp instruments that were used by an infected person
• a person shares items, such as razors or toothbrushes, with an infected person
• a person has cosmetic procedures (tattoos, body piercings) performed with needles or other equipment that has been contaminated with the virus

Yes. Some people with hepatitis A, especially children, may have no symptoms. Someone infected with hepatitis A can transmit the virus to others up to 2 weeks before symptoms appear. People acutely infected with hepatitis B may not have symptoms that they notice. People with chronic hepatitis B can remain symptom-free for many years. Even without having symptoms these people are still contagious and can infect others who are not immune to hepatitis B.

Yes. Someone infected with hepatitis A can transmit the virus to others up to 2 weeks before symptoms appear. People with chronic hepatitis B can remain symptom-free for many years. During this time, they can still infect others.

Yes. The hepatitis A virus can survive outside the body for many days, potentially contaminating food and water. High temperatures, such as boiling or cooking food or liquids for at least 1 minute at 185°F (85°C), kill the hepatitis A virus, although freezing temperatures do not. Hepatitis B virus can survive outside the body for at least 7 days. During that time, the virus can still cause infection if it enters the body of a person who is not immune.

Signs (things you may see) and symptoms (things you may feel) of hepatitis A and hepatitis B are often alike. They may include one or more of the following:

• Fever
• Feeling tired (fatigue)
• Loss of appetite (not hungry)
• Nausea
• Vomiting (throwing up)
• Stomach (abdominal) pain
• Light-colored stool (feces)
• Dark urine
• Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes)
• Muscle or joint pain

Hepatitis A Facts:

• Most people with hepatitis A are only sick for up to 2 months. However, 10%–15% of people with hepatitis A are sick for up to 6 months
• 11%–22% of people who have hepatitis A must be put in the hospital
• 27 is the average number of days adults who become ill from hepatitis A miss from their job

Hepatitis B Facts:

• While most people with hepatitis B will clear (get rid of) the virus, 5% will continue to have chronic infection that can lead to liver failure or liver cancer
• About 3,000-4,000 people die from cirrhosis (liver disease) caused by hepatitis B virus each year in the US

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccination against hepatitis A infection for:

• All children 12-23 months of age. Vaccination is also recommended for children aged older than 23 months who live in areas where vaccination programs target older children, who are at increased risk for infection, or for whom immunity against hepatitis A is desired
• Any person seeking protection from hepatitis A infection
• Persons traveling to or working in countries that have an intermediate or high risk of hepatitis A infection
• Persons with chronic liver disease
• Persons who receive clotting factor concentrates
• Men who have sex with men
• Persons who use injection drugs
• Persons working with hepatitis A virus in a laboratory or other research setting
• Unvaccinated persons who anticipate close personal contact (eg, household or regular babysitting) with an international adoptee during the first 60 days after arrival in the United States from a country with high or intermediate endemicity

The CDC recommends vaccination against hepatitis B infection for:

• Children and adolescents through 18 years of age
• Any person seeking protection from hepatitis B infection
• Sexually active persons who are not in a long-term relationship with a faithful partner—for example, having more than 1 sex partner in a 6-month period
• People seeking evaluation or care for a sexually transmitted disease—for example, herpes or gonorrhea
• People who live with or have sexual relations with someone with chronic hepatitis B infection
• Persons traveling to or working in countries that have an intermediate or high risk of hepatitis B infection
• Healthcare personnel and public-safety workers who are exposed to blood or other body fluids
• Persons with kidney failure
• Persons infected with HIV (the virus that causes AIDS)
• Persons with chronic liver disease
• Current or recent injection-drug users
• Men who have sex with men
• People who live or work in facilities that care for people with developmental disabilities

Talk to your healthcare provider about whether vaccination is right for you.