To reduce your risk of spreading or catching the hepatitis A virus: Always wash your hands thoroughly after using the restroom and when you come in contact with an infected person's blood, stools, or other bodily fluid. Avoid unclean food and water. read more
Acute infection is a short-term illness that happens in the first 6 months after a person is infected with the hepatitis B virus or the hepatitis C virus. Acute infection may cause only mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. read more
The following statement updates all previous recommendations on protection against viral hepatitis, including use of hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immune globulin for prophylaxis of hepatitis B (MMWR 1985;34: 313-24,329-35 and MMWR 1987,36: 353-66), universal screening of pregnant women to prevent perinatal hepatitis B transmission (MMWR 1988;37: 341-46,51), and use of immune globulin to prevent other types of viral hepatitis (MMWR 1985;34: 313-24,329-35). read more