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

Matt Wilmes explained their mission to David Mai: The city has seen the first signs of an outbreak of hepatitis A and is offering free vaccinations against the virus. Andrew Kenney, The Denver Post, "Threat of hepatitis A outbreak among Denver’s homeless prompts a massive response," 26 July 2019 Colorado Denver: Public health officials say four homeless people have been diagnosed with hepatitis A this year, so the city is stepping up free vaccinations. USA TODAY, "Moon trees, moon film, monk honored: News from around our 50 states," 23 July 2019 Last year the committee unanimously voted to recommend the use of routine hepatitis A vaccination for all homeless people ages 1 year and older to protect them against infection. Jacqueline Howard, CNN, "CDC panel recommends hepatitis A vaccination through age 18 and for HIV patients," 27 June 2019 Florida has had 18 deaths this year attributed to hepatitis A, according to the Florida Department of Health. Cindy Krischer Goodman, sun-sentinel.com, "A fourth death from Hepatitis A in Martin County as outbreak continues," 24 June 2019 Frozen berries recalled by Townsend Farms in 2013 caused 165 cases of hepatitis A in 10 states. Kate Gibson, CBS News, "Costco joins Kroger in recalling frozen berries due to hepatitis A concerns," 13 June 2019 Kentucky's latest death from hepatitis A reported this week by the state health department raised the toll to 58 in the nation's largest outbreak of the contagious liver virus. Chris Kenning, The Courier-Journal, "Hepatitis A death toll in Kentucky reaches 58 in state's latest report," 5 June 2019 At least 281 Louisianians have been diagnosed with the preventable hepatitis A in the past 18 months, according to a WAFB television analysis of state Health Department records. Hanna Krueger, nola.com, "Hepatitis A cases skyrocket in Louisiana, with almost 300 in 18 months: report," 15 June 2019 Costco follows Kroger in recalling frozen berries from Townsend Farms after the FDA found hepatitis A in a product sample. Kate Gibson, CBS News, "Costco joins Kroger in recalling frozen berries due to hepatitis A concerns," 13 June 2019

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.

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First Known Use of hepatitis A

1972, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for hepatitis A

hepatitis A

noun
\ -ˈā How to pronounce hepatitis A (audio) \

Medical 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

— see havrix