Hepatitis A is generally not a lifetime illness; most people recover fully and develop lifelong immunity.
Hepatitis A Recovery and Immunity
- Full Recovery: According to available information, the vast majority of individuals who contract hepatitis A experience a full recovery.
- Lifelong Immunity: Following recovery, individuals typically develop lifelong immunity to hepatitis A.
- Rare Complications: While most people recover, a very small percentage may experience severe complications, such as fulminant hepatitis, which can be fatal (Reference: "Almost everyone recovers fully from hepatitis A with a lifelong immunity. However, a very small proportion of people infected with hepatitis A could die from fulminant hepatitis.20-Jul-2023").
In summary, hepatitis A is usually a self-limiting illness, and most individuals do not experience long-term or lifetime infection. The typical outcome is full recovery and lasting immunity.