hepatitis A

noun

: an acute usually benign hepatitis that is caused by a picornavirus (species Hepatitis A virus of the genus Hepatovirus), is marked by fatigue, fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, darkened urine, and jaundice but may be asymptomatic, especially in children, and is transmitted especially in food and water contaminated with infected fecal matter

Note: Unlike other forms of hepatitis, hepatitis A is a short-term illness that does not progress to a chronic condition and does not typically cause permanent liver damage.

called also infectious hepatitis

Examples of hepatitis A in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But there is variation in requirements for others, such as varicella (chicken pox), meningococcal, rotavirus, influenza, and hepatitis A and B vaccines. —Sherri Gordon, Parents, 18 Sep. 2025

Ladapo’s predecessors stressed the importance of hepatitis A vaccines and flu shots. —Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025

For anyone older than 1 year, PEP involves getting the hepatitis A vaccine. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 11 July 2025

Cases of measles, salmonella, listeria and hepatitis A and C have spread throughout the country. —Chiara Eisner, NPR, 21 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

hepatitis A

noun

-ˈā 

: an acute usually benign hepatitis that is caused by a picornavirus (species Hepatitis A virus of the genus Hepatovirus), is marked by fatigue, fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, darkened urine, and jaundice but may be asymptomatic, especially in children, and is transmitted especially in food and water contaminated with infected fecal matter

Note: Unlike other forms of hepatitis, hepatitis A is a short-term illness that does not progress to a chronic condition and does not typically cause permanent liver damage.

called also infectious hepatitis

see havrix