hepatitis A

noun

Definition of hepatitis A

: 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 The pediatric death count for Covid-19 exceeds the numbers for diseases like hepatitis A, chickenpox and the diarrhea-causing rotavirus before vaccines become available protecting against the conditions, CDC officials have said. — Jared S. Hopkins, WSJ, 17 June 2022 Seven children have been hospitalized for hepatitis A at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center during the outbreak, according to a recent Cincinnati Health Department medical director's report. — Brooks Sutherland, The Enquirer, 31 May 2022 Consumers who ate the potentially affected berries in the last two weeks and have not been vaccinated against hepatitis A should immediately consult with a physician, the FDA said. — Dee-ann Durbin, BostonGlobe.com, 30 May 2022 Consumers who ate the potentially affected berries in the last two weeks and have not been vaccinated against hepatitis A should immediately consult with a physician, the FDA said. — Dee-ann Durbin, Chron, 30 May 2022 The common viruses associated with acute viral hepatitis—hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E—have not been identified in any case. — Colin Lodewick, Fortune, 25 Apr. 2022 One of the family members was hospitalized with acute liver failure resulting from a hepatitis A infection, according to the lawsuit, which states he was discharged one day later. — City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2022 In some instances, particularly in children under the age of 6, hepatitis A infection may be asymptomatic. — Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, 31 May 2022 Common viruses known to cause hepatitis, such as hepatitis A, B, C, D and E, have been ruled out in these kids. — Brenda Goodman, CNN, 27 May 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hepatitis A.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Learn More About hepatitis A

Dictionary Entries Near hepatitis A

hepatitis

hepatitis A

hepatitis B

Statistics for hepatitis A

Last Updated

4 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Hepatitis A.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hepatitis%20A. Accessed 8 Aug. 2022.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

More Definitions for hepatitis A

hepatitis A

noun

\ -ˈā

Medical Definition of hepatitis A

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