Symptoms
Hepatitis A does not always cause obvious symptoms. Some people may experience mild symptoms lasting 1 to 2 weeks, while others will have more severe symptoms that can last for several months. Generally, the severity of the illness increases with age, which is why children infected with the hepatitis A virus usually do not show any symptoms. Symptoms of hepatitis A include the following:
- Jaundice
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Dark urine
Symptoms can appear anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks after exposure. However, it’s important to note that infected people are contagious up to 2 weeks before they show any symptoms at all.