HEPATITIS A
Vaccine-Preventable Series: Hepatitis A Disease, explained—what it does, how it spreads, and how we prevent it
WHAT DOES THIS DISEASE DO
A contagious liver infection that can cause fever, fatigue, jaundice, and, in rare cases, liver failure and death.
By The Number: Then vs Now (USA) — Hepatitis A
Before vaccine (pre-1996)
Cases: About 21,000 reported cases annually in the United States before vaccine introduction
Hospitalizations: Hospitalization occurred in a significant proportion of cases, especially among adults
Deaths: Approximately ~100 deaths per year (commonly cited CDC estimate for the pre-vaccine era)
After vaccine introduction (recent years)
Cases: 1,648 reported cases in 2023 (~3,300 estimated infections after adjusting for underreporting). Overall incidence declined by about 95% from 1995–2014 after vaccination
Hospitalizations: During recent U.S. outbreaks (2016–2020): 27,461 hospitalizations reported across multiple states
Deaths: 85 deaths reported in 2023, and 424 deaths recorded during the 2016–2020 outbreak period
Hepatitis A cases dropped dramatically after vaccination, but outbreaks still occur, especially in unvaccinated adults and high-risk groups.
THE VACCINE
Who gets it:
All children (routine vaccination starting at age 1)
Travelers to countries where Hepatitis A is common
People at increased risk (e.g., certain occupational or lifestyle exposures)
Doses:
2 doses, given at least 6 months apart
WHO IS AT RISK
Unvaccinated individuals
Travelers to high-risk areas
People with poor sanitation exposure
People experiencing homelessness or using drugs (higher risk during outbreaks)
HOW IT SPREADS
Hepatitis A spreads through the fecal-oral route, often via contaminated food, water, or close personal contact.
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
Signs & Symptoms:
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)
COMPLICATIONS
Acute liver failure (rare but serious)
Prolonged illness (weeks to months)
Death (more common in older adults and those with liver disease)
