Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a virus that affects the liver. It can cause a short-term illness that normally lasts between 10 and 14 days.
SymptomsSymptoms include tiredness, a yellowing of the skin, pale stools, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting. These symptoms can be made worse by drinking alcohol, tea or coffee and eating fatty food. In people with HIV, the symptoms of hepatitis A might last for longer.
How it's passed on
The infection is spread by contact with infected human faeces (stools, excrement, shit). Contaminated food and water are often common sources of infection, but it can also be spread during sex, especially by rimming (oral-anal contact).
Good personal hygiene can prevent the transmission of hepatitis A – washing your hands after going to the toilet and before preparing or eating food.
There is a vaccine against hepatitis A. This involves two injections, given six months apart, and gives immunity for about ten years. These vaccinations are given at GP clinics rather than sexual health clinics and work well in people with HIV. Everybody who has HIV is recommended to have this vaccine unless they are naturally immune to the infection (a test before vaccination can show this).
Tests and treatment
A blood test can show present or prior hepatitis A infection.
You can normally expect to get better without any treatment and once you've had hepatitis A you cannot get it again.
Many anti-HIV drugs (as well as medicines used to treat other conditions) are processed using the liver. The liver inflammation that hepatitis A causes can mean that some people need to suspend taking their treatment when they have hepatitis A. But this needs to be discussed with your doctor.
It's also important to understand how your hepatitis treatment may interact with your HIV medication. Find out more about HIV drug interactions.
This article was last reviewed on: 07/09/11
Date due for next review: 07/09/13
