Highlights
- There were 2,265 new cases of hepatitis A reported during 2022.
- There were 4,500 estimated infections during 2022.
- There were 118 hepatitis A-related deaths reported during 2022.
- The best way to prevent hepatitis A is by being vaccinated.
What is hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable disease caused by infection of the liver with the hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV is usually transmitted person to person through the fecal-oral route or through consumption of contaminated food or water.
Most adults and older children with hepatitis A have symptoms that usually resolve within 2 months after infection; children aged less than 6 years usually do not have symptoms, or they have an unrecognized infection.
Signs and symptoms associated with hepatitis A can include:
- Abdominal pain
- Dark urine or clay-colored stools
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Jaundice
- Joint pain
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Hepatitis A is a self-limited disease that does not result in chronic infection. Treatment for HAV infection might include rest, adequate nutrition, and fluids. Hospitalization might be required for more severe cases.
Quick facts
Hepatitis A in 2022
2,265
There were 2,265 new cases of hepatitis A reported during 2022.
4,500
There were 4,500 estimated infections during 2022.
118
There were 118 hepatitis A-related deaths reported during 2022.
Hepatitis A cases remain 1.6 times as high as in 2015
After annual increases from 2015, hepatitis A cases began to decrease in 2020. Since 2016, the United States experienced hepatitis A outbreaks in multiple states that were caused by person-to-person spread primarily among adults who use drugs and experience homelessness. From 2021–2022, there was a 60% decrease in the number of newly reported cases of hepatitis A. However, the number of cases in 2022 remains 1.6 times as high as in 2015.
Fast facts about hepatitis A during 2022
Rate of hepatitis A cases
The rate of hepatitis A cases decreased 60% from 2021–2022.
Number of hepatitis A cases
The number of hepatitis A cases in 2022 was 1.6 times as high as in 2015.
Highest rate of hepatitis A cases
Persons aged 30–39 years had the highest rate of hepatitis A.
Case rates by demographics
58% of hepatitis A cases occurred among non-Hispanic White persons.