Where is the hepatitis A virus found?
Hepatitis A is found in the stool of persons infected with hepatitis A. How does this virus spread? It is usually spread by putting something in the mouth that is contaminated with the virus. Hepatitis A can be carried on an infected persons hands and spread by person-to-person contact or by contaminated food or drink. Who gets hepatitis A? Anyone can become infected with hepatitis A; however, infection occurs more frequently in school-aged children and young adults. What are the symptoms of hepatitis A? Symptoms of hepatitis A infection may include fever, fatigue, poor appetite, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort. Urine may become darker in color, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes) may occur. The disease is rarely fatal. Infants and young children tend to have very mild symptoms and are less likely to develop jaundice than older children and adults. There is no chronic infection with hepatitis A. How soon do symptoms appear? The symptoms may appear 15 50 days
