Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a reportable disease in Oklahoma. Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). There is no treatment for hepatitis A, however, it can be prevented with the hepatitis A vaccine or short-term immunity (see prevention below).

Hepatitis A is an acute infection that can cause fever, malaise, anorexia, nausea, and abdominal discomfort that is followed by jaundice (yellowing of the eyes). The hallmark symptoms of hepatitis A include jaundice, clay-colored stools, and tea-colored urine. Symptoms usually last one to two weeks after they start. Infection results in life-long immunity, so once you have had hepatitis A you cannot get it again.

Persons at highest risk of developing hepatitis A are household contacts of infected persons, persons traveling to countries where hepatitis A is common and injection drug users.

If you have come in contact with a person that has hepatitis A, please contact your health care provider.

Hepatitis A must be reported to the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) immediately upon diagnosis or positive serologic test for IgM antibodies to hepatitis A. County health department public health nurses perform rapid investigation and follow-up of all reported cases. For each case, they determine risk factors for disease acquisition and spread. They prevent transmission of the virus to identified contacts through administration of immune globulin and education.

HAV is found in the stool (feces) of persons with hepatitis A. The virus is spread from one person to another by putting something in the mouth that has been contaminated with the stool of a person with hepatitis A (called the “fecal-oral” route). 

Persons can spread the virus for one to two weeks before symptoms start, and for approximately two weeks after symptoms of dark urine, jaundice, or clay colored stool occur. 

OSDH Hepatitis A Fact Sheets and Information:

• Hepatitis A Fact Sheet (15k.pdf)  
  • Hepatitis A Hoja Informativa (43k.pdf)
• Food Handler's Fact Sheet (82k.pdf) 
  • Food Handler's Hoja Informativa (41k.pdf)

External Hepatitis A Resources:

• Hepatitis A (CDC) 
• Hepatitis A Vaccine Information Statement (CDC) 
• Hepatitis A Vaccine Information Statement - Other Languages (CDC)
   

Mailing Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Acute Disease Service
123 Robert S. Kerr Ave, Ste. 1702
Oklahoma City, OK 73102-6406

Physical Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Acute Disease Service
123 Robert S. Kerr Ave
Oklahoma City, OK

Phone (405) 426-8710
Fax (405) 900-7591
adsservice@health.ok.gov