Hepatitis A signs and symptoms do not occur in everyone who has this disease. The likelihood appears to be related to a person's age. For example, most children under age six who become infected do not have symptoms. If symptoms are present, they usually appear suddenly. Possible hepatitis A signs and symptoms include jaundice, fatigue, nausea, and stomach pain.
An Introduction to Hepatitis A Signs and Symptoms
Not everyone who is infected with
hepatitis A with develop signs and/or symptoms of the disease. The likelihood of having hepatitis A signs and symptoms is related to the infected person's age. For example, in children under six years of age, most (70 percent) have no signs or symptoms. If they do occur in these children, they usually do not last more than two months.
The average
hepatitis A incubation period (the time between infection and when symptoms appear) is 28 days (although it can take anywhere from 15 to 45 days).
Specific Hepatitis A Signs and Symptoms
If hepatitis A signs and symptoms are present, they usually occur abruptly. Possible indications include:
- Feeling very tired
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (also called jaundice)
- Not feeling very hungry
- Stomach pain
- Dark urine
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Low-grade fever.
Duration of Hepatitis A Signs and Symptoms
Hepatitis A signs and symptoms usually last less than two months.
Up to 10 percent of people with symptoms are ill for as long as six to nine months.
The overall rate of death from a hepatitis A infection is 0.3 percent. However, the rate is 1.8 percent among adults 50 years of age or older.
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