What is hepatitis A? How is it transmitted? What are the symptoms of hepatitis A? How can you prevent hepatitis A? Get the answers to these and more questions about this viral liver disease.

Understanding Hepatitis A: A Viral Liver Disease

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects the liver. The hepatitis A virus is spread when traces of infected feces/stools come into contact with hands, objects, water or food. Anyone can be at risk of contracting hepatitis A through ingesting contaminated food or drinks.

Hepatitis A Outbreaks: Contaminated Foods and High-Risk Groups

Outbreaks of hepatitis A have been linked to the consumption of contaminated farmed and distributed foods, such as shellfish. Certain groups are also at higher risk, including people experiencing homelessness, people who inject drugs, and men who have sex with men. Hepatitis A is more prevalent in low-income countries with limited access to clean water and sanitation facilities. Childcare centers can also experience hepatitis A outbreaks, as young children often show no symptoms but can infect others.

Symptoms of Hepatitis A: From Mild to Severe

The incubation period for hepatitis A is typically 2-4 weeks, with an average of 28 days. Many infected individuals, especially children under 5, may show few or no symptoms. For older children and adults, common symptoms include fever, nausea, abdominal discomfort, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). Symptoms can last for several weeks, and most people fully recover from the infection.

Complications and Relapse of Hepatitis A

Approximately 10% of people who have had hepatitis A experience a relapse, where they become unwell with the virus again. Most of these individuals fully recover. Hepatitis A does not cause chronic liver disease, but the severity of the illness is more pronounced in older age groups and those with existing liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. In rare cases, hepatitis A can lead to fulminant hepatitis, an acute form of the disease that can cause liver failure. The risk of death from fulminant hepatitis increases with age.

Causes of Hepatitis A: Understanding the Virus

Hepatitis A is caused by a virus that can survive for several hours outside the body and persist on hands and in food for even longer. It is resistant to heating and freezing. The virus is spread when it enters the mouth, which can happen when hands, foods, or other items are contaminated with the feces of an infected person. The disease can also be transmitted sexually through oral or anal contact. An infected person is considered infectious from 2 weeks before symptom onset until 1 week after jaundice appears, or up to 2 weeks after the first symptoms if there is no jaundice.

Protecting Yourself and Others from Hepatitis A

The most effective way to protect yourself from hepatitis A is to get vaccinated. Practicing strict personal hygiene, such as washing your hands thoroughly, using barrier protection during oral-anal sex, and avoiding contact with someone who has the virus, can also help reduce the risk of transmission. If you have hepatitis A, it’s important to avoid preparing food or drinks for others, sharing utensils, and engaging in sexual activity to prevent spreading the virus.

What is the incubation period for hepatitis A?

The average incubation period for the hepatitis A virus is 28 days, with a range of 2 to 4 weeks between exposure and the onset of symptoms.

Can a single hepatitis A infection provide lifelong immunity?

Yes, a single infection of hepatitis A leads to lifelong immunity. Prior infection with hepatitis B or C does not offer protection against hepatitis A.

How long is an infected person considered infectious?

A person with hepatitis A is considered infectious from 2 weeks before they show symptoms to 1 week after they become jaundiced (have yellow skin and eyes). If there is no jaundice, they may pass on the virus up to 2 weeks after their first symptoms appear, for a total of about 4 weeks.

What is the most important action to protect against hepatitis A?

The most important action to protect against hepatitis A is to get vaccinated. Vaccination can prevent illness if given within 2 weeks of contact with an infectious person.

How can you protect others if you have hepatitis A?

If you have hepatitis A, you should avoid preparing food or drinks for others, sharing eating and drinking utensils, sharing linens and towels, and engaging in sexual activity to prevent spreading the virus. Household contacts and sexual partners may need to be immunized as well.

What are some key steps to reduce the risk of hepatitis A?

Key steps to reduce the risk of hepatitis A include:

• Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water before handling food, after using the toilet, and after contact with nappies or the anal area of another person
• Using barrier protection (dental dams) during oral-anal sex and avoiding sex with someone who has the hepatitis A virus
• Cleaning bathrooms and toilets regularly, focusing on surfaces like toilet seats, handles, taps, and nappy change tables
• Boiling drinking water if it comes from an untreated source, such as a river
• Discussing immunization with your doctor, especially if traveling to countries where hepatitis A is widespread

Hepatitis A – Better Health Channel

What is hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a viral disease that affects the liver. The hepatitis A virus is highly infectious and is spread when traces of faeces/stools (poo) containing the virus contaminate hands, objects, water or food.

Anyone can be at risk of hepatitis A through ingesting food or drinks containing traces of the virus contaminated by a person with hepatitis A.

Hepatitis A outbreaks

There have been outbreaks of hepatitis A associated with eating contaminated farmed and distributed foods (for example shellfish), and among particular groups (people experiencing homelessness, people who inject drugs and men who have sex with men).

Hepatitis A is more common in low socioeconomic countries with reduced access to clean water supplies and sanitation (sewerage) facilities.

Hepatitis A outbreaks can occur in childcare centres. Children under 5 years of age often don’t show any symptoms, but can infect childcare workers or other children (for example during nappy changes). The first sign of an outbreak is usually when a parent or childcare worker becomes sick.

Symptoms of hepatitis A

You can become ill any time between 2 and 4 weeks after coming into contact with the hepatitis A virus.

The average incubation period (the time between infection taking place and symptoms appearing) for the virus is 28 days.

Many infected people, particularly children less than 5 years old, show few or no symptoms.

For older children and adults, the symptoms of hepatitis A include:

• fever
• nausea
• abdominal discomfort and pain
• dark urine
• yellow skin and eyes (jaundice).

Symptoms may last for several weeks. Most people fully recover from hepatitis A infection.

A single infection of hepatitis A leads to lifelong immunity. Prior infection with hepatitis B or hepatitis C does not offer immunity for hepatitis A.

Complications of hepatitis A

Around 10% of people who have had hepatitis A experience a relapse (become unwell again with hepatitis A). Most people who have a relapse fully recover.

Hepatitis A does not cause chronic (long-lasting) liver disease.

The severity of the disease is more severe in older age groups and for people with existing liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.

Complications of hepatitis A are rare, but the infection can lead to fulminant hepatitis. This is an acute form of hepatitis that can cause liver failure. The risk of death from fulminant hepatitis increases with age.

Causes of hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is caused by a virus. The virus can survive for several hours outside the body but persists on the hands and in food for even longer. It is resistant to heating and freezing.

The virus is spread when it enters the mouth, which can happen when hands, foods or other items are contaminated with the faeces of a person with hepatitis A. The disease can also be spread sexually by oral or anal contact.

A person with hepatitis A is infectious from 2 weeks before they show symptoms to one week after they become jaundiced (have yellow skin and eyes).

If an infected person has no jaundice, they may pass on the virus up to 2 weeks after they first have symptoms (about 4 weeks in total). Caution is advised beyond this period as the virus can still be shed in stools (faeces) for longer periods.

Reducing the risk of hepatitis A

Protecting yourself from hepatitis A

The most important action you can take to protect yourself against hepatitis A is to get vaccinated.

Practising strict personal hygiene is also essential to reducing the risk of hepatitis A. Steps you can take include:

• Wash your hands with soap and hot running water before handling food, after going to the toilet and after handling used condoms or having contact with nappies or the anal area of another person. Use a clean towel to dry your hands.
• Use barrier protection (dental dams) when engaging in oral-anal sex and avoid sex with someone who has hepatitis A virus.
• Vaccination may prevent illness if given within 2 weeks of contact with an infectious person.
• Clean bathrooms and toilets often, paying attention to toilet seats, handles, taps and nappy change tables.
• Boil your drinking water if it comes from an untreated source, such as a river.
• If you are travelling overseas, particularly to countries where hepatitis A is widespread, take special care to avoid hepatitis A. Before travelling, talk to your doctor about immunisation for protection.

Protecting others from hepatitis A

If you have hepatitis A:

• Do not prepare food or drink for other people.
• Do not share eating or drinking utensils with other people.
• Do not share linen and towels with other people.
• Do not have sex.
• Wash eating utensils in soapy water, and machine wash linen and towels.

Household contacts and sexual partners of an infectious person may need to be immunised.

All people who have hepatitis A should check with their doctor before returning to work or school.

The following people have increased risk of passing hepatitis A on to others and must check with their doctor before returning to work or school:

• People who handle food or drink.
• People whose work involves close personal contact, such as child carers and health workers.
• Children who attend child-care facilities.

Protecting yourself from hepatitis A when overseas

Careful selection and preparation of food and drink in countries where hepatitis A is widespread is vital. Suggestions include:

• Only drink bottled water with an unbroken seal.
• Avoid unpackaged drinks or ice.
• Avoid eating raw food such as fruit or salad that has been (or may have been) cleaned or prepared with contaminated water.
• Avoid uncooked foods, particularly vegetables and fruit that you have not peeled, prepared or boiled yourself.
• Avoid raw or undercooked meat and fish.
• Make sure cooked food is hot and eat it right away.
• Avoid shellfish and unpasteurised dairy products.
• Avoid eating food from street vendors.

Diagnosis of hepatitis A

Tests used to diagnose hepatitis A may include:

• medical history – plus immunisation status and travel history
• physical examination
• blood test – a sample of your blood will be sent to a laboratory to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment for hepatitis A

There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A. In most cases, your immune system will clear the infection and your liver will completely heal. Treatment aims to ease symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. Options may include:

• Rest – hepatitis A can make you tired and lacking in energy for day-to-day life, so rest when you can.
• Eat small meals more often – nausea can affect your ability to eat and can contribute to tiredness, so eat small amounts of high-calorie foods often if nausea is a problem.
• Drink fluids.
• Protect your liver – the liver processes medication and alcohol, so avoid alcohol and review any medication with your doctor.

Exposure to hepatitis A

If you’ve been in contact with someone with hepatitis A and you are not immune (have not been immunised or have never had a hepatitis A infection), speak with your doctor about your treatment options.

Immunisation against hepatitis A

Immunisation is the best protection against hepatitis A infection and is recommended for people in high-risk groups, and for unvaccinated people who have been in close contact with someone who has hepatitis A.

Immunisation against hepatitis A includes a course of injections over a 6 to 12-month period. Healthy people 12 months of age and over receive 2 doses of hepatitis A vaccine, or 3 doses if the hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines are given as a combination.

You can complete any missed vaccine doses, even if the recommended time frame has passed. You do not need to start the vaccine course again.

If you are in close contact with someone who has hepatitis A be sure to have the hepatitis A vaccine if you have not already completed a vaccine course.

Babies under 12 months of age and people who have a weakened immune system who are also in close contact with a person with hepatitis A can have an injection of normal human immunoglobulin (also called passive immunisation) instead of the hepatitis A vaccine.

Protection against hepatitis A is available free of charge under the National Immunisation Program ScheduleExternal Link for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (between 12 and 24 months) who live in high-risk areas (Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia). (It is also recommended for people who work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and communities in these areas.)

Hepatitis A immunisation is recommended for high-risk groups

In Victoria, the vaccine is recommended (but not free) for:

• people (12 months of age and over) travelling to places where hepatitis A is common (endemic)
• people whose work puts them at increased risk of infection including:
  • plumbers and sewage workers
  • people who work with children
  • people who work with people with developmental disabilities
• people with developmental disabilities
• people with liver disease or people who have had a liver transplant or have chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C
• people who have anal intercourse (including men who have sex with men, and workers in the sex industry)
• people who inject drugs
• inmates of correctional facilities (prisons).

Remember that immunisation against hepatitis A does not protect you against hepatitis B or hepatitis C.

Pregnancy and hepatitis A immunisation

Hepatitis A immunisation is not usually recommended for women who are pregnant although vaccination might be recommended in some situations.

Speak with your doctor if you are not immune to hepatitis A and you are at increased risk of infection or if you have a pre-existing medical condition such as liver disease.

Pre-immunisation checklist

Before receiving the vaccine, tell your doctor or nurse if you (or your child):

• are unwell (temperature over 38.5 ˚C)
• have allergies to any other medications or substances
• have had a serious reaction to any vaccine
• have had a serious reaction to any component of the vaccine
• have had a severe allergy to anything
• have a disease, or are having treatment, that causes low immunity
• are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications
• are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.

Side effects of immunisation against hepatitis A

Immunisations against hepatitis A are effective and safe. All medications can have side effects.

For most people, the chance of a serious side effect from a vaccine is much lower than the chance of serious harm if you catch the disease.

Common side effects from the hepatitis A vaccine include:

• localised pain, redness and swelling at the injection site
• low-grade temperature (fever)
• headache.

Managing fever after immunisation

Common side effects following immunisation are usually mild and temporary (occurring in the first few days after vaccination). Specific treatment is not usually required.

There are a number of treatment options that can reduce the side effects of the vaccine including:

• Drink extra fluids and do not overdress if you have a fever.
• Although routine use of paracetamol after vaccination is not recommended, if fever is present, paracetamol can be taken – check the label for the correct dose or speak with your pharmacist (especially when giving paracetamol to children).

Managing injection site discomfort

Many vaccine injections may result in soreness, redness, itching, swelling or burning at the injection site for one to 2 days. Paracetamol might be required to ease the discomfort.

Sometimes a small, hard lump (nodule) at the injection site may persist for some weeks or months. This should not be of concern and requires no treatment.

Concerns about immunisation side effects

If a side effect following immunisation is unexpected, persistent or severe, or if you are worried about yourself or your child’s condition after a vaccination, see your doctor or immunisation nurse as soon as possible or go directly to a hospital.

Immunisation side effects may be reported to SAEFVICExternal Link, the Victorian vaccine safety and central reporting service. Adverse events in other states or territories can be reported through SAEFVACExternal Link.

It is important to seek medical advice if you (or your child) are unwell, as this may be due to other illness rather than because of the vaccination.

Rare side effects of hepatitis A immunisation

There is a very small risk of a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to any vaccine. This is why you are advised to stay at the clinic or medical surgery for at least 15 minutes following immunisation in case further treatment is required.

Where to get help

• In an emergency, always call triple zero (000)
• Emergency department of your nearest hospital
• Your GP (doctor)
• Local government immunisation service
• LiverWELLExternal Link Tel. 1800 703 003
• Maternal and Child Health Line (24 hours, 7 days) Tel. 13 22 29
• NURSE-ON-CALL Tel. 1300 60 60 24 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
• Immunisation Unit, Department of Health, Victorian Government Email: [email protected]
• National Immunisation Information HotlineExternal Link Tel. 1800 671 811
• Pharmacist
• SAEFVICExternal Link Tel. 1300 882 924

Hepatitis A | NHS inform

Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by a virus that’s spread in the poo of an infected person.

It’s uncommon in the UK, but certain groups are at increased risk. This includes travellers to parts of the world with poor levels of sanitation, men who have sex with men, and people who inject drugs.

Hepatitis A can be unpleasant, but it’s not usually serious and most people make a full recovery within a couple of months.

Some people, particularly young children, may not have any symptoms. But hepatitis A can occasionally last for many months and, in rare cases, it can be life-threatening if it causes the liver to stop working properly (liver failure).

A hepatitis A vaccine is available for people at a high risk of infection.

This page covers:

Symptoms of hepatitis A

When to get medical advice

How you can get hepatitis A

Vaccination against hepatitis A

Treatments for hepatitis A

Outlook for hepatitis A

Symptoms of hepatitis A

The symptoms of hepatitis A develop, on average, around 4 weeks after becoming infected, although not everyone will experience them.

Symptoms can include:

• feeling tired and generally unwell
• joint and muscle pain
• a high temperature (fever)
• loss of appetite
• feeling or being sick
• pain in the upper-right part of your tummy
• yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• dark urine and pale stools
• itchy skin

The symptoms will usually pass within a couple of months.

Read more about symptoms of hepatitis A.

When to get medical advice

See your GP for advice if:

• you have symptoms of hepatitis A – a blood test can usually confirm whether you have the infection
• you might have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus recently but you don’t have any symptoms – treatment given early on may be able to stop the infection developing
• you think you might need the hepatitis A vaccine – your GP can advise you about whether you should have the vaccine (see below)

Although hepatitis A isn’t usually serious, it’s important to get a proper diagnosis to rule out more serious conditions with similar symptoms, such as hepatitis C or cirrhosis (scarring of the liver).

It may also be necessary to test your friends, family and any sexual partners, in case you’ve spread the infection to them.

How you can get hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is most widespread in parts of the world where standards of sanitation and food hygiene are generally poor, such as parts of Africa, the Indian subcontinent, the Far East, the Middle East, and Central and South America.

You can get the infection from:

• eating food prepared by someone with the infection who hasn’t washed their hands properly or washed them in water contaminated with sewage
• drinking contaminated water (including ice cubes)
• eating raw or undercooked shellfish from contaminated water
• close contact with someone who has hepatitis A
• less commonly, having sex with someone who has the infection (this is particularly a risk for men who have sex with men) or injecting drugs using contaminated equipment

Someone with hepatitis A is most infectious from around two weeks before their symptoms appear until about a week after the symptoms first develop.

Read more about the causes of hepatitis A.

Vaccination against hepatitis A

Vaccination against hepatitis A isn’t routinely offered in the UK because the risk of infection is low for most people.

It’s only recommended for people at an increased risk, including:

• close contacts of someone with hepatitis A
• people planning to travel to or live in parts of the world where hepatitis A is widespread, particularly if levels of sanitation and food hygiene are expected to be poor
• people with any type of long-term (chronic) liver disease
• men who have sex with other men
• people who inject illegal drugs
• people who may be exposed to hepatitis A through their job – this includes sewage workers, staff of institutions where levels of personal hygiene may be poor (such as a homeless shelter) and people working with monkeys, apes and gorillas

The hepatitis A vaccine is usually available for free on the NHS for anyone who needs it.

Read more about the hepatitis A vaccine.

Treatments for hepatitis A

There’s currently no cure for hepatitis A, but it will normally pass on its own within a couple of months. You can usually look after yourself at home.

While you’re ill, it’s a good idea to:

• get plenty of rest 
• take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen for any aches and pains – ask your GP for advice about this, as you may need to take lower doses than normal or avoid certain medications until you’ve recovered
• maintain a cool, well-ventilated environment, wear loose clothing, and avoid hot baths or showers to reduce any itching
• eat smaller, lighter meals to help reduce nausea and vomiting
• avoid alcohol to reduce the strain on your liver
• stay off work or school and avoid having sex until at least a week after your jaundice or other symptoms started
• practise good hygiene measures, such as washing your hands with soap and water regularly 

Speak to your GP if your symptoms are particularly troublesome or haven’t started to improve within a couple of months. They can prescribe medications to help with itchiness, nausea or vomiting, if necessary.

Read more about treating hepatitis A.

Outlook for hepatitis A

For most people, hepatitis A will pass within 2 months and there will be no long-term effects. Once it passes, you normally develop life-long immunity against the virus.

For around 1 in every 7 people with the infection, the symptoms may come and go for up to 6 months before eventually passing.

Life-threatening complications such as liver failure are rare, affecting less than 1 in every 250 people with hepatitis A. People most at risk include those with pre-existing liver problems and elderly people.

If liver failure does occur, a liver transplant is usually needed to treat it. 

Get vaccinated against hepatitis A for children at the Fantasy clinic in Moscow

We vaccinate children and adults against Hepatitis A. All vaccination rules are strictly observed. We have only the best vaccines with minimal risks of side effects. For children, anti-stress vaccinations: interactive toys, soap bubbles, a special Buzzy Ladybug, virtual reality glasses with 3D cartoons!

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Hepatitis A vaccination

We carry out hepatitis A vaccination. Safely, quickly, in 10 districts of St. Petersburg.

The most reliable way to protect yourself and loved ones from various diseases is vaccination, which allows the body to artificially develop immunity to a particular virus. Even if you follow all the precautions, the risk of catching any infection remains. You can avoid this risk by getting vaccinated in time.

Among the most common diseases are various forms of hepatitis, including hepatitis A.

What is hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is an acute infectious disease of the liver. The virus is transmitted through consumption of contaminated food or water, or through close physical contact. Often this happens when an infected person is preparing food.

The incubation period is usually 14 to 28 days. Symptoms are mild and severe. A person’s temperature rises greatly, he feels weak, loses his appetite, discomfort in the abdomen, diarrhea, and vomiting may appear. Some patients have dark urine and jaundice. All the symptoms in the complex are not found in everyone.

If the disease is mild in children, then in adults it is most often severe. So, after recovery, a person may experience another acute episode, but then the infection will recede again. It’s hard to say for how long.

Who should be vaccinated against hepatitis A

This disease is most common in areas with poor hygiene and in areas of mass contact with people.

Vaccination is especially relevant for healthcare workers, public service workers (in particular catering), workers in the field of public utilities, as well as citizens living in regions with an increased incidence of hepatitis A and those who intend to visit such areas.