Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a contagious virus.
It is transmitted during sex and through contaminated food and drink. Hepatitis A is preventable by vaccination.

Last updated: 19 June 2008

What is the Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis is a disease that causes an inflammation or swelling of the liver. Hepatitis A is one of the viruses that cause this condition. The other hepatitis viruses are also named with a letter, for example: hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms appear within 28 days of exposure and can include a flu-like illness, aches and pains, abdominal pain, dark urine, loss of appetite and yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice). Some people do not have symptoms but can still infect others. Symptoms usually go within 4 weeks.

While hepatitis A can make infected people very sick for a number of weeks, it will not result in long-term liver damage. Deaths caused by hepatitis A are very rare.

How is it spread?

People with hepatitis A can pass on the virus from 2 weeks before the symptoms appear, and up to one week after they develop jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin).

Hepatitis A is transmitted from person to person when infected faeces (poo/shit) comes into contact with another person's mouth. This usually happens when eating or drinking contaminated food or water, by sharing a cigarette or smoking equipment, or during sex.

Who is at risk?

All unvaccinated people are at risk of contracting hepatitis A. People at most risk are:
• travellers to developing countries
• child care workers
• children who attend day care
• people who practice anal sex
• people living with poor hygiene and sanitation
People have had hepatitis A in the past are immune and can not get hepatitis A again.

How is it prevented?

You can reduce the risk of spreading hepatitis A by maintaining good personal hygiene, especially by washing hands carefully after going to the toilet, before and after sex, and before eating, drinking or smoking.

Hepatitis A is preventable. Infection rates have fallen in Australia since the introduction of a vaccine which your doctor can give you. The following groups of people should be vaccinated:
• travellers to countries where hepatitis A is endemic (wide-spread)
• men who have sex with men
• injecting drug users
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children under 5 years in Queensland, Western Australia, Northern Territory and South Australia
• workers in remote indigenous communities
• child care workers
• intellectually disabled people and their carers
• health care workers
• anyone who works with sewerage
• people with liver disease
• people with haemophilia

How is it diagnosed?

A blood test can show if you have the virus or if you are immune to it.

How is it treated?

There is no cure for hepatitis A which is why vaccination is very important. A person infected with hepatitis A needs to rest, avoid alcohol and drink plenty of fluids. Symptoms usually last between one to three weeks.

If you have recently been in close contact with someone who has hepatitis A, an injection called immunoglobulin can be given to reduce the chance of you becoming infected. Immunoglobulin should be given within 14 days of exposure and be followed by vaccination soon after. People who have had hepatitis A develop immunity to the virus and can't be infected again.

What is the public health response?

Hepatitis A is very contagious, so if you have been diagnosed with hepatitis A you should practice strict personal hygiene during the course of the infection. Do not:
• have sexual contact with others
• prepare food for others
• share linen, towels or cutlery
Child carers, food handlers and health care workers should notify their doctor and not return to work until cleared by their doctor.

It is important to tell your sexual partner(s) about your illness so they can also be treated with immunoglobulin and so they do not infect others. Your doctor or sexual health clinic can help you decide who may be at risk and help you to contact them. If you wish, this can be done anonymously by your doctor.
Hepatitis A is a notifiable disease. This means that doctors and laboratory staff are legally required to notify the Department of Health about new cases. Notifications are confidential and used to help find and treat others who may be at risk before they become ill or infect others. The data is also used for public health planning. If you are uncertain about the notification process, discuss this with your doctor during your visit.

Further Information

Sexual Health Information Line (02) 9382 7440 or Freecall 1800 451 624 (outside Sydney).

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