What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious, short-term liver infection. People who get it may feel sick for a few weeks to several months but usually recover completely and do not have lasting liver damage. In rare cases, this virus can cause liver failure and even death; this is more common in older people and in people with other serious health issues, such as chronic liver disease.
Where is it Found?
What Does it Infect?
How Does it Spread?
Preventing the Spread of Hepatitis A
The best way to prevent this virus is through vaccination. Since it spreads though contact with infected blood / bodily fluids, or through eating contaminated food / drink, practicing good hand hygiene is important. Thoroughly wash your hands after using the bathroom or changing diapers, and before preparing or eating food.
Public facilities should enact proper water and surface disinfection procedures, which can be improved with UV-C disinfection. Read more below.
Get More Protection with UV Disinfection
In addition to the above preventative measures, Germicidal Ultraviolet (UV-C) water disinfection can inactivate Infectious Hepatitis in well water, food prep water, and drinking water. According to a Columbia School of Nursing studyopen_in_new, nursing homes saw a significant rise in Hepatitis A infections from 2006 to 2011.
In countries where this virus may be common, UV disinfection can also treat surfaces that may be infected. Restaurants and meat processing facilities will benefit by adding UV-C surface disinfection to their regular sanitizing procedures. Shop our products at AtlanticUltraviolet.comopen_in_new.
Learn about these applications:
View all UV-C Application Pages.
Our germicidal lamps produce ultraviolet wavelengths at 254 nanometers, the region of maximum germicidal effectiveness. Read our FAQ blog post to learn more. See dosage data below.
Classification & UV-C Dose for Inactivation
| Organism: | Type: | Disease: | UV Dose*: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infectious Hepatitis | Virus | Hepatitis A | 8.0 mJ/cm2 |
* Nominal Ultraviolet dosage necessary to inactivate better than 99% of microorganisms. See sources below.
People at Risk for Hepatitis A
Although anyone can get this virus, certain groups of people are at higher risk:
- People with direct contact with someone who has Hepatitis A
- Travelers to countries where it is common
- Men who have sexual contact with men
- People who use drugs, both injection and non-injection drugs
- Household members or caregivers of a recent adoptee from countries where this virus is common
- People with clotting factor disorders, such as hemophilia
- People working with nonhuman primates
Hepatitis A Symptoms
If symptoms develop, they usually appear 2 to 7 weeks after infection. While they usually last less than 2 months, some people can be ill for as long as 6 months. If symptoms develop, they can include:
- Yellow skin or eyes
- Not wanting to eat
- Upset stomach
- Throwing up
- Stomach pain
- Fever
- Dark urine or light-colored stools
- Diarrhea
- Joint pain
- Feeling tired
Hepatitis A Sources
- Healthline: About Hepatitisopen_in_new
- CDC: Guidelines & Recommendations for Hepatitis Aopen_in_new
- CDC: Hepatitis A Basicsopen_in_new
- CDC: Hepatitis A Fact Sheetopen_in_new
Dosage Source
Sensitivity of Bacteria, Protozoa, Viruses, and Other Microorganisms to Ultraviolet Radiation. Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Volume 126, Article No. 126021. August 20, 2021.
Learn More, Shop & Contact Our Specialists
Since 1963, we’ve been engineering and manufacturing germicidal ultraviolet equipment to neutralize harmful microorganisms in water, in air, and on surfaces. Visit these helpful pages:
Shop at AtlanticUltraviolet.com
- Shop UV-C Water & Liquid Disinfectionopen_in_new
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Contact Us
- Call (631) 273-0500, Monday – Friday 7am to 6pm EST
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