How Common it is
During epidemic years, the number of reported cases reached 35,000 (children are more likely than adults to be asymptomatic).

How you catch it
The feces of an infected person contains live virus. If the person doesn't wash their hands well after a bowel movement, someone else (including during sex) or contaminate in cooked food (Hepatitis A is one reason for restaurant signs telling employees to wash their hands). Sewer contamination of drinking water can also spread the virus, but this is uncommon in the U.S.

How to prevent it
Vaccine (two shots) recommended for people at greater risk, including travelers to high-risk areas (like Mexico, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, South America) and children in areas with high Hepatitis rates. No data
on safety for pregnant women. Can be given to children as young as 2. Immunoglobulin shots protect for three to six months; can be given up
to two weeks after exposure (i.e., people who live or have sex with someone with Hepatitis A, day care workers if a child comes down
with it).

How it affects you
Symptoms usually subside within two months. Although initial infection can occasionally be deadly, this form of Hepatitis never becomes chronic, as types B and C can.