Key points
- Most people who get hepatitis A have a mild, short-term illness.
- You can still spread hepatitis A virus (HAV) even if you don't have symptoms.
- Adults are more likely than children to have symptoms.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms of hepatitis A can be different for different people. If you do have symptoms, they can appear anytime between 2–7 weeks after exposure. While some people can feel sick for as long as 6 months, most symptoms are gone within 2 months.
Symptoms of hepatitis A 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)
When to talk to your doctor
If you think you have been exposed to HAV, you should talk to your doctor right away. They will decide next steps for treatment based on your age and overall health.
Hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin can prevent infection within 2 weeks of exposure.
If received within 2 weeks of being exposed to hepatitis A, the vaccine or immune globulin can prevent you from getting sick. Your doctor will help decide whether the vaccine, immune globulin, or both are right for you.
Learn about hepatitis A vaccination.
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