Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A virus infection often has no symptoms or results in a mild disease, particularly in children under five years of age. In adults, the onset of illness is usually abrupt, with the following symptoms:

• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes)
• dark urine
• tiredness
• loss of appetite
• abdominal discomfort
• nausea
• vomiting
• fever

People are most infectious just before the onset of symptoms, with most cases considered non-infectious after the first week of jaundice.

Prolonged, relapsing hepatitis for up to one year occurs in 15% of cases. Chronic infection with hepatitis A is not known to occur and infection gives lifelong immunity to the disease.

The risk of death is very low but higher in adults over 50 years of age or in people with underlying chronic liver disease.

Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus. It spreads most often through the faeces of an infected person, either by consuming contaminated food or water or by person-to-person contact through poor hygiene.

It can also spread among close contacts such as household contacts, sexual contacts, and those attending daycare centres or schools.

There are several effective and safe vaccines available. Vaccines are effective even if given up to ten days after exposure. 

There is no treatment, patients recover on their own.

The best way to prevent hepatitis A is through vaccination with the hepatitis A vaccine. 

Other protective measures include practicing good hand hygiene such as thoroughly washing hands after using the bathroom, changing babies’ nappies, and before preparing or eating food.