What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is caused by a virus that infects liver cells and causes inflammation. The inflammation can affect how your liver works and cause other symptoms of hepatitis A.
The virus spreads when infected stool, even just tiny amounts, enters the mouth of another person (fecal-oral transmission). You may get hepatitis A when you eat or drink something contaminated with infected stool. You may also get the infection through close contact with a person who has hepatitis A. The virus can live on surfaces for a few months. The virus does not spread through casual contact or by sneezing or coughing.
Here are some of the specific ways the hepatitis A virus can spread:
• Eating food that someone with the virus has touched after not washing their hands well after using the toilet.
• Drinking contaminated water.
• Eating food washed in contaminated water.
• Eating raw shellfish from water polluted with sewage.
• Being in close contact with a person who has the virus, even if that person has no symptoms.
• Having sexual contact with someone who has the virus.
What are the Symptoms of Hepatitis A?
Not everyone with hepatitis A has symptoms. Adults are more likely to have symptoms than children. If symptoms develop, they usually appear 2–7 weeks after exposure. Symptoms usually last less than 2 months, although some people can feel sick for as long as 6 months.
Symptoms can include:
• Dark urine or clay-colored stools
• Diarrhea
• Feeling tired
• Fever
• Joint pain
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea, stomach pain, throwing up
• Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)
Prevention for Hepatitis A
According to the World Health Organization
The spread of hepatitis A can be reduced by:
• Adequate supplies of safe drinking water.
• Proper disposal of sewage within communities.
• Personal hygiene practices such as regular handwashing before meals and after going to the bathroom
What's the Best Way to Prevent Hepatitis A?
Preventing hepatitis A starts with practicing good personal hygiene and avoiding risky behaviors that increase exposure to the virus.
Handwashing is key.
Wash your hands frequently, especially:
- After using the bathroom
- After changing diapers
- Before preparing or eating food
Follow CDC-recommended handwashing steps:
- Wet hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), apply soap, and lather well.
- Scrub the backs of your hands, between fingers, and under your nails.
- Continue scrubbing for at least 20 seconds—about the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice.
- Rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean towel or air dry.
Vaccination offers strong protection.
There are two types of injections that help protect against hepatitis A:
- Immune Globulin (IG): This injection contains antibodies that provide temporary protection. It can be given before potential exposure (e.g., before travel) or shortly after known exposure to reduce the risk of illness.
- Hepatitis A Vaccine: Made from inactivated (killed) virus, this vaccine helps your body build protective antibodies. It does not contain live virus, and two doses are required for long-term protection.
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Target Audience for Hepatitis A Vaccination at UCR
Health Sciences Students and Staff
- Especially those in clinical rotations, medical, nursing, dental, public health, or EMS programs
- Likely to have direct contact with patients or contaminated materials
Laboratory Personnel
- Individuals working with hepatitis A virus (HAV) or potentially infectious stool samples in research or clinical labs
Custodial and Sanitation Workers
- Those who may be exposed to sewage, human waste, or environments with poor hygiene (e.g., bathroom cleaning in residence halls)
Food Service Workers (Optional but Highly Recommended)
- Especially those working in large dining halls or food prep areas, due to the risk of fecal-oral transmission.
Travelers to Endemic Areas
- UC staff, faculty, or students who study abroad, conduct research, or travel to countries with high or intermediate Hep A prevalence.
Homeless or Unhoused Populations
- Any student, employee, or program participant with unstable housing or limited sanitation access.
- Includes campus police, security personnel, and outreach staff who may have frequent contact with individuals experiencing homelessness or unsanitary living conditions
Workers Handling Nonhuman Primates
- Especially in research animal facilities, since cross-species transmission is possible
Pregnant Women:
- The safety of the hepatitis A vaccine during pregnancy has not been fully established; however, the theoretical risk to either the pregnant woman or the developing fetus is considered low.
- Since hepatitis A can pose a severe risk to pregnant women, those at high risk of exposure during an outbreak and who have not been vaccinated or previously infected should consider vaccination.
- Especially those in clinical rotations, medical, nursing, dental, public health, or EMS programs
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Hepatitis A Vaccine Schedule
- The CDC recommends two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine for Adults who were not previously vaccinated and want to be protected can also receive the vaccine.
- To receive the hepatitis B vaccine, you must complete Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) training. This training ensures you understand the risks of exposure and how to protect yourself in the workplace or other settings where bloodborne pathogens may be present.
For more information, visit:
UCR Hepatitis B Vaccination
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Need Assistance?
To schedule a Hepatitis A vaccine series or titer test, please contact the Occupational Health Coordinator by emailing ehsocchealth@ucr.edu or calling (951) 827-5528.
- Resources For Hepatitis A