Acute hepatitis A

Acute hepatitis A is a liver-specific viral infection caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV) and classified as an acute form of viral hepatitis ^[2][1]. The available source material characterizes it as an infection with unique epidemiology among the hepatitis viruses and with no tendency to chronicity ^[2][1]. Source-backed detail on genotype patterns, incubation period, or formal case definitions is not yet available in the provided materials.

Clinical manifestations of hepatitis A range from asymptomatic infection to acute liver failure, but the infection does not evolve into chronic hepatitis ^[1]. A minority of patients may develop atypical courses, including relapsing hepatitis, prolonged cholestasis, or extrahepatic manifestations ^[1]. Severe acute hepatitis A is associated with older age over 40 years and preexisting liver disease ^[1]. Most patients recover spontaneously with supportive care, while acute liver failure occurs in less than 1% and may require intensive care and urgent consideration of liver transplantation ^[1].

The available sources describe HAV as a major cause of acute viral hepatitis and note that infectious hepatitis remains endemic in much of the world ^[1][3]. In pregnancy-focused literature, acute hepatitis A is singled out as having important maternal and fetal implications, indicating clinical relevance in obstetric surveillance contexts ^[2][3]. Source-backed detail on national incidence, outbreak patterns, seasonality, or specific reservoir ecology is not yet available in the provided materials.

Hepatitis A virus is transmitted by the fecal-oral route ^[1]. The provided material does not specify particular exposure settings, environmental persistence, or person-to-person transmission details beyond this route statement ^[1].

The clearest source-supported risk groups for severe acute hepatitis A are older adults, particularly those over 40 years of age, and persons with preexisting liver disease ^[1]. Pregnancy is also a clinically important context because acute hepatitis A has been highlighted as posing substantial maternal risk during gestation ^[2][3].

The source material emphasizes prevention of infection and transmission during pregnancy and interpregnancy care, and notes that screening and transmission awareness are important in obstetric settings ^[3]. It also states that prevention strategies in viral hepatitis must account for local health-care and socioeconomic challenges ^[2]. Source-backed detail on vaccination schedule, post-exposure prophylaxis, water or food control measures, or other specific prevention interventions is not yet available in the provided materials.

For surveillance purposes, acute hepatitis A should be read as an acute, non-chronic viral hepatitis signal with potential for severe disease, including acute liver failure in a small minority of cases ^[1]. Special attention is warranted in pregnancy because the literature identifies acute hepatitis A as a notable maternal risk in that setting ^[2][3]. Source-backed detail on reporting thresholds, laboratory confirmation criteria, or outbreak detection rules is not yet available.

1. 1 Shin EC et al. Natural History, Clinical Manifestations, and Pathogenesis of Hepatitis A. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. 2018 Sep 4. PMID: 29440324. doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a031708. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29440324/
2. 2 Terrault NA et al. Viral hepatitis and pregnancy. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021 Feb. PMID: 33046891. doi: 10.1038/s41575-020-00361-w. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33046891/
3. 3 Hamburg-Shields E et al. Infectious Hepatitis in Pregnancy. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2020 Mar. PMID: 31895116. doi: 10.1097/GRF.0000000000000512. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31895116/
4. 4 Viral Hepatitis: Acute Hepatitis. Scholarly DOI record. 2019. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-03535-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03535-8
5. 5 Acute hepatitis. Radiopaedia.org. 2021. doi: 10.53347/rid-93042. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53347/rid-93042
6. 6 Acute Hepatitis. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 2012. doi: 10.1016/b978-1-4377-2702-9.00062-3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-1-4377-2702-9.00062-3

ICD-10

B15

ICD-11

1E50.0

Total cases

0

Peak month

—

Coverage

0 reporting countries · —