Hepatitis, Viral – Type A

Reportable by Laboratories and Providers

About this Reportable Disease

Infectious agent:  Hepatitis A virus (HAV)

Description of illness: Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable, acute, self-limited illness characterized by fever, malaise, jaundice, anorexia, and nausea. It is transmitted person-to-person through the fecal-oral route or through exposure to contaminated food or water.  Only 30% of infected children younger than 6 years of age will become symptomatic, and few will have jaundice.  Among older children and adults, infection usually is symptomatic and typically lasts several weeks, with jaundice occurring in ≥70%.  Ten to fifteen percent of symptomatic people have prolonged or relapsing disease lasting as long as 6 months.  Fulminant hepatitis and death is rare and is more common in people with underlying liver disease.  Chronic infection does not occur. Serologic testing for HAV IgM in the absence of acute illness compatible with hepatitis A is not recommended due to the possibility false positive results, especially in older adults.

Interactive Disease Data


Laboratory Reporting for this Disease

Hepatitis A Serology

TEST NAME  
DISEASE/DISORDER  
ALTERNATE NAME(S)  
METHODOLOGY  
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
  •  
ORDERING INFORMATION TDH DLS Requisition:  PH-4182 Clinical Submission Requisition

Specimen Requirements

Patient Preparation
  •  
Specimen Collection
  •  
Specimen Labeling
  • Specimen must be labeled with at least two unique patient identifiers and match accompanying PH-4182 Clinical Submission Requisition.
Specimen Processing
  •  
Specimen Storage and Preservation
  •  
Specimen Transport
  • All infectious substance shipments must conform to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR 49 C.F.R. Parts 171-180). 
Specimen Acceptability and Rejection
  •  
Testing Location
  • Nashville

Laboratory Reporting

Reporting requirements apply to all laboratories located within Tennessee, as well as laboratories outside of Tennessee that test residents of Tennessee, including laboratories located within healthcare facilities. Healthcare providers and laboratories in the same healthcare facility both have a duty to report. The type of organisms and analytes laboratories must report to TDH for 2026 are indicated, and there are several ways laboratories can report results to TDH.

 

Information about this Reportable Disease for Healthcare Providers

Clinical Summary

  • Hepatitis A is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable liver infection caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV). It causes acute illness (it does not become chronic) and can range from asymptomatic infection—especially in young children—to clinically apparent hepatitis more common in older children and adults.
  • Typical symptoms include fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fever, dark urine, pale stools, and jaundice; severity generally increases with age and underlying liver disease.
  • Transmission occurs primarily by the fecal–oral route, most often through close personal contact with an infected person or ingestion of contaminated food or water. People can transmit HAV before symptoms begin, so exposure risk may not be obvious.
  • Diagnosis is confirmed with serologic testing for acute infection (HAV IgM). Treatment is supportive (no specific antiviral therapy); management focuses on hydration, symptom control, and monitoring for complications, with hospitalization for severe disease as needed.
  • Prevention relies on vaccination and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) (HepA vaccine and/or immune globulin for indicated exposed persons within the recommended timeframe), along with standard hygiene and food-safety measures.

Healthcare Provider Reporting

Healthcare reporting requirements apply to all providers located within Tennessee, as well as providers whose patients reside in Tennessee.

Providers must report cases of all diseases and conditions listed through one of these methods:

• Mail or fax a completed PH-1600 form to your local health department or fax to the state health office at (615) 741-3857

• Send automatically via electronic case reporting (eCR). See this TDH webpage for more information on eCR, register at the Trader Partner Registration website, or contact MU.Health@tn.gov for assistance.

• Submit online via NBS. NBS is TDH's reportable disease system. To request an NBS account for reporting Complete this user survey to request an NBS account for reporting. 

• Blood lead levels can be sent via fax ( (615) 741-3857), entered online, or reported using the instructions at this link. 

Information about this Reportable Disease for the Public

What It Is

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It usually causes a short-term (acute) illness and does not become a long-term chronic infection.

Signs and Symptoms

Some people—especially young children—may have mild illness or no symptoms. When symptoms occur, they can include fatigue, nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, fever, dark urine, pale stools, joint pain, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

How It Spreads

Hepatitis A spreads mainly by the fecal–oral route, including close person-to-person contact (such as living with or caring for someone who is infected) and by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. People can spread the virus even before they feel sick.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Healthcare providers diagnose hepatitis A with blood tests. There is no specific antiviral medicine for hepatitis A—care is usually supportive (rest, fluids, and symptom management), and most people recover fully.

Prevention (Vaccination and Post-Exposure Protection)

The best protection is hepatitis A vaccination. After a known exposure, some people may benefit from post-exposure prophylaxis (hepatitis A vaccine and/or immune globulin) when given as soon as possible within the recommended timeframe.

This Page Last Updated: March 25, 2026 at 8:53 PM