Complications are rare with hepatitis A. The viral infection can be unpleasant but most people make a full recovery within two months with no permanent liver damage. Older people and those with other medical conditions, such as diabetes, anaemia or congestive heart failure, may take longer to recover from the infection.
However, occasionally the infection can be fatal due to severe liver inflammation, which can lead to liver failure. This tends to be particularly common in the elderly as they have a weakened immune system. This can also be the case if you have other medical conditions that result in a weakened immune system, such as HIV.
