Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is caused by a virus. However, it is different to hepatitis B and hepatitis C as it is transmitted by the faecal-oral route like food poisoning.

How do people get hepatitis A?

• Close personal contact.
• Poor personal hygiene.
• Contaminated water or milk.
• Contaminated food – including shellfish, from infected sewage.

How do you know if you’ve got hepatitis A, or if you’ve had it?

You can tell by having a blood test. If you’re sick with acute hepatitis A you might have one or more of these symptoms:

• nausea (feeling like vomiting) and vomiting
• jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
• dark urine (pee, mimi)
• pale bowel motions (poo, tūtae)
• feeling unwell
• no energy
• no hunger
• sore upset stomach
• aches and pains.

Hepatitis A infectious period

The most infectious period for hepatitis A is usually from two weeks before the jaundice shows until one week after.

To prevent the spread of hepatitis A if you are unwell

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after going to the toilet or changing baby’s nappy.
• Wash hands before and after preparing food.

Hepatitis A is an illness that your doctor notifies to the public health medicine specialist in your local public health unit. The Health Protection Unit arranges for follow-up, may offer protection to contacts (an injection of antibodies – immunoglobulin) and checks for possible common risk factors.

More information

Please talk to your doctor, nurse or health worker about immunisation. Further information on hepatitis A is available from the Health Protection Unit (telephone (07) 838 2569).

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