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Hepatitis A virus (HAV)
Non-enveloped virus of the Picornoviridae family
One serotype identified
Identified in 1972
HAV is an enteric viral infection, generally transmitted through a fecal-oral route.

Incubation Period	From 15-50 days, average 28-30 days
Acute Illness	Can cause a renewed illness up to one year after initial infection. This can happen in about 15% of patients.
Chronic Infection	People usually do not remain infected for life. The body will most often fight off the virus naturally.
Global Incidence	1.5 million cases each year.
Global Prevalence	15-100% in various parts of the world.

Recovering from a Hepatitis A (Hep A) infection results in lifelong immunity that will protect you from getting Hep A again.

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), other general symptoms such as uneasiness, loss of appetite, pain in the stomach area, dark urine and fatigue.
Most people mild to serious Hep A recover naturally.

Exposure to water or food products contaminated with HAV (feces containing the virus)
Transmission through household or sexual contact is seen as a very rare event, particularly in heterosexual relationships
Transmission through blood does not happen often.

Persons	Level of Risk
People in the food handling industry exposed to contaminated food or water	High
People who inject drugs	Medium
People living, visiting or working in developing countries	Medium
Inmates in prisons or jails	Medium
Household contacts of HAV individuals	Medium
Hemophiliacs	Low

Individuals with long-term liver disease may be at higher risk for a more serious hepatitis infection.

A vaccine to protect against HAV is available. A combination vaccine for Hep A and B is also available.

There is no effective treatment to date. People generally recover from symptoms in 4 to 6 weeks.

The incidence of Hep A was approximately 2.9 cases for every 100,000 persons in 1999 (Health Canada, Notifiable Diseases Online)

Reference: Bloodborne Pathogens Section, Blood Safety Surveillance and Health Care Acquired Infections Division, Health Canada, 2003