Hepatitis A

Hepatitis means ‘liver inflammation’. It is caused by a virus. Several kinds of hepatitis virus can infect the liver, but the most common are the hepatitis A, B and C viruses.

Hepatitis A is the least dangerous form of Hepatitis. It is most common in developing countries.

How it is transmitted

Hepatitis A is caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV). If someone is infected with Hepatitis A then this virus is present in their faeces, but not in their blood or saliva.

If you get faeces containing the virus in your mouth, the virus can be passed on to you. It doesn't matter how small that amount is: even tiny amounts of faeces that you can’t see can still be enough to pass on the Hepatitis A virus.

Anyone can get infected by handling a condom that has been used for anal sex or by eating food prepared by someone with the virus who hasn’t washed their hands after using the toilet.

Symptoms

Hepatitis A can affect people in different ways. Symptoms generally start to appear two to six weeks after you get infected, and can easily be mistaken for the effects of flu. You may suffer from:

  • aches and pains
  • exhaustion
  • fever
  • headaches
  • loss of appetite
  • diarrhoea
  • sickness
  • stomach pain.

    • You may also get jaundice, which makes the whites of your eyes and skin go yellow, your urine go dark and your faeces turn pale.

    What can I do if I think I have Hepatitis?

    If you think you have Hepatitis you can go to a NHS sexual health clinic. You can read more about clinics and find your nearest one on the Terrence Higgins Trust website. You can also visit one of our Fastest clinics or your local or family doctor (GP).

    Recovery

    Almost everyone recovers completely from Hepatitis A and most people feel better after just a few weeks. But you can feel exhausted for months afterwards and may need time off work to recover. People with Hepatitis A are advised to get plenty of rest and to eat well. While you are recovering you should avoid alcohol, recreational drugs, fatty foods and excessive exercise.

    It is unlikely that anyone who has had Hepatitis A will suffer any long-term liver damage. However, a very small number of people do develop long-term liver problems.

    Prevention

    People who recover from Hepatitis A acquire immunity to the virus. As the body can recover by itself from the virus, it usually isn’t treated.

    If you haven't had Hepatits A then a vaccine is recommended to prevent infection.