Hepatitis A in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It spreads primarily through the “fecal–oral” route—when tiny amounts of stool from an infected person contaminate hands, objects, food, or water and then enter someone else’s mouth.

In Grand Rapids and across West Michigan, hepatitis A has been linked to:

  • Eating contaminated food (including raw or undercooked shellfish)
  • Person-to-person spread in households, shelters, and childcare settings
  • Certain higher-risk groups, including:
    • People experiencing homelessness
    • People who inject drugs
    • Men who have sex with men
    • People in correctional facilities
    • Travelers to countries where hepatitis A is common

Although hepatitis A is more common in countries with limited access to clean water and sanitation, outbreaks still occur in Michigan, including Kent County.

Local public health support is available through the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health, and hospital care is available through major Grand Rapids systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health.

How Hepatitis A Spreads

The hepatitis A virus can survive for hours on surfaces and longer on hands and in food. It is also resistant to typical heating and freezing, which is why careful food handling is important.

You can get hepatitis A if you:

  • Eat food prepared by someone infected who did not wash their hands well
  • Drink water contaminated with sewage or untreated surface water (rivers, streams, some wells)
  • Eat raw or undercooked shellfish from contaminated water (a concern in Great Lakes and coastal regions)
  • Have close personal or sexual contact with someone who has hepatitis A, especially:
    • Oral–anal contact
    • Contact with stool (for example, during diaper changes)

An infected person is usually contagious:

  • From about 2 weeks before symptoms start
  • Until 1 week after jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes) appears

If someone never develops jaundice, they may still spread the virus for about 4 weeks after symptoms begin, and sometimes longer through their stool.

Hepatitis A and Childcare in Grand Rapids

Hepatitis A outbreaks can occur in:

  • Childcare centers
  • Preschools
  • In-home daycare settings

Children under 5 years old often have no symptoms, but they can still pass the virus to:

  • Other children
  • Childcare workers
  • Family members at home

The first sign of an outbreak is often when a parent or staff member becomes sick.

  • Incubation period (time from infection to symptoms): 2–4 weeks
  • Average incubation: about 28 days

Because Grand Rapids has many childcare centers and preschools, strict hygiene and prompt reporting of suspected cases to the Kent County Health Department are essential.

Symptoms of Hepatitis A

Many people—especially young children—have mild or no symptoms. Older children, teens, and adults are more likely to feel sick.

Common symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Abdominal discomfort or pain (often on the right side under the ribs)
  • Dark urine (tea- or cola-colored)
  • Pale or clay-colored stools
  • Tiredness and weakness
  • Joint pain
  • Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

Symptoms can last several weeks, and fatigue can linger for months, especially in adults.

Who Is at Higher Risk in West Michigan?

People in Grand Rapids and Kent County who are at higher risk of getting or spreading hepatitis A include:

  • People experiencing homelessness or unstable housing
  • People who inject drugs or share needles
  • Men who have sex with men
  • People in correctional facilities (jails, prisons)
  • People who work in:
    • Childcare or early childhood education
    • Food service (restaurants, catering, food trucks)
    • Plumbing and sewage
    • Group homes or facilities for people with developmental disabilities
  • People with chronic liver disease, including:
    • Hepatitis B
    • Hepatitis C
    • Cirrhosis
    • Alcohol-related liver disease
  • Travelers from Grand Rapids to areas where hepatitis A is common (endemic)

If you fall into one of these groups, talk with your Grand Rapids primary care provider or the Kent County Health Department about vaccination.

Complications of Hepatitis A

Most people:

  • Fully recover
  • Develop lifelong immunity after one infection

Hepatitis A does not cause chronic (long-term) liver disease like hepatitis B or C. However:

  • About 10% of people may have a relapse (symptoms come back) within several months.
  • Serious complications are rare, but can include:
    • Fulminant hepatitis – a sudden, severe liver failure
    • Risk of death, which increases with older age or existing liver disease

People with pre-existing liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, or chronic hepatitis B/C are at higher risk of severe illness and should seek care quickly if exposed.

Reducing Your Risk of Hepatitis A in Grand Rapids

1. Get Vaccinated

Vaccination is the most effective protection against hepatitis A.

In Michigan, the hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for:

  • All children (typically starting at 12 months of age)
  • People traveling to areas where hepatitis A is common
  • Men who have sex with men
  • People who inject drugs
  • People experiencing homelessness
  • People with chronic liver disease or who have had a liver transplant
  • People with chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C
  • Food service workers
  • Plumbers and sewage workers
  • Childcare workers and those who work with children
  • People who work with individuals with developmental disabilities
  • Inmates of correctional facilities and some staff

You can receive the vaccine at:

  • Your primary care clinic (Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health)
  • Kent County Health Department immunization clinics
  • Many local pharmacies in Grand Rapids

Vaccine Schedule

  • Healthy people 12 months and older:
    • 2 doses of hepatitis A vaccine (separated by 6–12 months), or
    • 3 doses if receiving a combined hepatitis A + hepatitis B vaccine
  • If you miss a dose, you do not need to start over—just complete the remaining doses.

After Exposure

If you have been in close contact with someone who has hepatitis A and you are not immune:

  • Hepatitis A vaccine can help prevent illness if given within 2 weeks of exposure.
  • Babies under 12 months and people with weakened immune systems may be offered normal human immunoglobulin (passive immunization) instead of the vaccine.

Always speak with a healthcare provider in Grand Rapids promptly after a known exposure.

2. Practise Good Hand Hygiene

Handwashing is especially important during Michigan’s cold and flu season, when people spend more time indoors and viruses spread more easily.

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm running water:

  • Before preparing or handling food or drinks
  • Before eating
  • After using the toilet
  • After changing diapers or helping someone use the bathroom
  • After handling used condoms or having contact with the anal area of another person
  • After cleaning bathrooms or toilets

Dry your hands with a clean towel or disposable paper towel.

3. Safer Sex Practices

To reduce the risk of sexual transmission:

  • Use barrier protection, such as dental dams, during oral–anal sex.
  • Avoid sexual contact with someone known to have hepatitis A until your doctor says it is safe.
  • Consider vaccination if you have anal intercourse or are a man who has sex with men.

4. Food and Water Safety in Grand Rapids and When Traveling

In Grand Rapids, municipal drinking water is generally safe. However, be cautious if:

  • You drink from private wells, rivers, or untreated sources (especially during spring melt or after heavy rains)
  • You are camping, hiking, or hunting and using surface water

If water is from an untreated source:

  • Boil it for at least 1 minute before drinking.

When traveling to countries where hepatitis A is common:

  • Drink only:
    • Bottled water with an unbroken seal
    • Boiled water
    • Hot drinks made with boiled water
  • Avoid:
    • Unpackaged drinks or drinks with ice
    • Raw or undercooked meat and fish
    • Raw fruits and vegetables you did not peel, wash, or cook yourself
    • Raw or undercooked shellfish
    • Unpasteurized milk and dairy products
    • Food from street vendors where hygiene is uncertain

Protecting Others if You Have Hepatitis A

If you are diagnosed with hepatitis A in Grand Rapids:

  • Do not prepare food or drinks for other people.
  • Do not share:
    • Eating or drinking utensils
    • Towels, washcloths, or bed linens
  • Avoid sex until cleared by your doctor.
  • Wash eating utensils in hot, soapy water.
  • Machine wash towels and linens with detergent and hot water.
  • Clean bathrooms and toilets frequently, especially:
    • Toilet seats
    • Flush handles
    • Faucet handles
    • Diaper changing tables

Household members and sexual partners may need vaccination. They should contact their healthcare provider or the Kent County Health Department promptly.

Before returning to work or school, always check with your doctor, especially if you:

  • Handle food or drinks
  • Work in childcare, healthcare, or close-contact settings
  • Are a child attending daycare or preschool

Diagnosis of Hepatitis A

To diagnose hepatitis A, a healthcare provider in Grand Rapids will typically:

  • Take a medical history, including:
    • Symptoms
    • Vaccination status
    • Recent travel
    • Possible exposures (food, water, sexual, household)
  • Perform a physical exam, looking for signs such as jaundice
  • Order blood tests to confirm hepatitis A infection

Testing is available through local clinics, urgent care centers, and hospital systems such as Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health.

Treatment for Hepatitis A

There is no specific antiviral treatment for hepatitis A. In most cases:

  • Your immune system clears the virus
  • Your liver heals completely

Treatment focuses on easing symptoms and preventing complications:

  • Rest:
    • Fatigue can be significant; rest as needed and avoid overexertion.
  • Nutrition:
    • Nausea may reduce appetite. Eat small, frequent meals.
    • Choose calorie-dense, easy-to-digest foods if you are losing weight.
  • Fluids:
    • Drink plenty of fluids (water, oral rehydration solutions, broths) to prevent dehydration.
  • Protect your liver:
    • Avoid alcohol completely until your doctor says your liver has recovered.
    • Review all medications (including over-the-counter and herbal supplements) with your doctor, as your liver processes many drugs.

If you have chronic liver disease, are older, or feel very unwell, your doctor may recommend monitoring or treatment at a Grand Rapids hospital.

Hepatitis A Vaccine Safety and Side Effects

The hepatitis A vaccine used in Michigan is safe and effective. As with any vaccine, side effects can occur, but serious reactions are rare.

Common, usually mild side effects:

  • Soreness, redness, itching, or swelling at the injection site (1–2 days)
  • Low-grade fever
  • Headache
  • Tiredness

Managing Side Effects

  • Drink extra fluids.
  • Do not overdress if you have a fever.
  • Although routine use of pain medicine after vaccination is not required, acetaminophen (paracetamol) can be used for fever or discomfort.
    • Always check the label for the correct dose.
    • Ask a pharmacist or pediatrician before giving it to children.

Sometimes a small, firm lump at the injection site can last for weeks or months. This is usually harmless and does not require treatment.

Rare Side Effects

  • Very rarely, a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) can occur.
  • This is why you are asked to remain at the clinic for about 15 minutes after vaccination.

If you notice:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Swelling of the face or throat
  • Hives
  • Severe dizziness

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately (e.g., Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital or Trinity Health Grand Rapids).

Before Getting the Hepatitis A Vaccine

Tell your doctor or nurse if you or your child:

  • Are currently unwell with a fever over 38.5°C (101.3°F)
  • Are pregnant or planning a pregnancy
  • Have any severe allergies (to medications, foods, or previous vaccines)
  • Have ever had a serious reaction to a vaccine
  • Have a condition or are receiving treatment that weakens the immune system
  • Are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications or supplements

For most people, the risk of serious side effects from the vaccine is much lower than the risk of serious illness from hepatitis A infection.

Local Resources in Grand Rapids, MI

If you are in Grand Rapids or Kent County and have questions about hepatitis A, vaccination, or possible exposure, you can contact:

  • Your primary care provider or pediatrician
  • Kent County Health Department – for immunizations, outbreak information, and public health guidance
  • Grand Rapids Public Health programs and clinics
  • Local hospitals and urgent care centers, including:
    • Corewell Health (Butterworth, Blodgett, and regional campuses)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health

In an emergency, always call 911.

Key Points About Hepatitis A in Grand Rapids

  • Hepatitis A is a viral liver infection spread mainly through contaminated food, water, or close contact.
  • The average incubation period is about 28 days.
  • Many infected children under 5 have no symptoms, but can still spread the virus.
  • Older children and adults are more likely to have symptoms such as:
    • Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
    • Dark urine
    • Abdominal pain
    • Fatigue and nausea
  • Symptoms may last several weeks, but most people fully recover and develop lifelong immunity.
  • Serious complications, including acute liver failure, are rare but more likely in older adults and people with existing liver disease.
  • Vaccination and good hygiene are the best ways to prevent hepatitis A in Grand Rapids and across Michigan.