Hepatitis A

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Hepatitis A (Hep A) is a virus that spreads easily between people through eating food or touching objects that someone with Hep A has handled, it can also be spread from having sex or sharing needles/pipes with someone who has Hep A. The virus can cause serious liver damage, even failure. 

Symptoms 

Symptoms include:

  • fever
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)

In some cases, people experience stomach pain, dark pee, pale poop, tiredness, and lack of appetite. Acute illness may last a few weeks or up to a few months.

Outbreak news

Hepatitis A has been spreading among people in Minnesota who are living homeless or injecting drugs. Last year, 46 cases of Hepatitis A were reported in the Metro area.

Since May 2019, Minnesota has seen an increase of hepatitis A cases, which we have now identified as an outbreak. Minnesota’s outbreak-associated cases have risk factors that are consistent with other outbreaks nationwide.

People who are at higher risk in the current outbreak include:

  • People who use injection/non-injection drugs.
  • People experiencing homelessness or unstable housing.
  • People who are currently or were recently incarcerated.
  • Men who have sex with men (MSM).

What can I do to help stop this outbreak?

Hep A can be prevented through vaccination and careful hand washing. To get vaccinated, call the Saint Paul – Ramsey County Immunization Clinic and schedule an appointment at 651-266-1234.

Partners

Feel free to share this poster at community sites: Hepatitis A - A Health Warning poster (PDF)

Learn more about Hepatitis A