Symptoms of hepatitis A
Learn about the symptoms of hepatitis A, what to look for and what to do if you become ill.
On this page
Symptoms of hepatitis A
Not everyone who is infected will have symptoms. Symptoms are more likely to occur in adults than in children.
Symptoms of hepatitis A include:
- fever
- dark urine
- loss of appetite
- fatigue (tiredness)
- nausea and vomiting
- stomach cramps or abdominal pain
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
After you have been exposed to hepatitis A, symptoms:
- typically appear 14 to 28 days later
- may occur up to 50 days later
Symptoms usually last less than 2 months.
Symptoms may be:
- mild and last only 1 or 2 weeks
- severe and last up to 9 months
What do you do if you become ill
Visit your health care provider immediately if you think you have:
- hepatitis A
- been exposed to the virus
It’s possible to prevent illness if you get vaccinated within 2 weeks of being exposed to the virus.
Consult your health care provider if you have:
- any of the listed symptoms
- been in contact with an infected person
- consumed food handled by someone infected with hepatitis A
Tell your health care provider:
- your symptoms
- which countries you visited or lived in during the 50 days before having symptoms