Health A to Z: Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a liver infection that is spread in the poo of an infected person. Most people who get it get better within a few months.

Hepatitis A is not common in the UK but it is common in other parts of the world.

Hepatitis A is caused by a virus that spreads in poo.

The infection is more common in parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Central and South America.

You can get hepatitis A from:

• drinking unclean water
• eating food that's been washed or grown in unclean water
• eating food that's been handled by an infected person
• close physical contact with an infected person, including having sex and sharing needles to take drugs

You can check the risks of a country you're travelling to on the TravelHealthPro website

Vaccination is the best way to prevent hepatitis A.

Hepatitis A vaccines are not routinely offered in the UK because the risk of getting infected is low.

You only need to get a vaccine if you are at high risk of catching or getting seriously ill from hepatitis A. For example:

• you are travelling to a country where hepatitis A is common – you may need to pay for a hepatitis A vaccine for travel
• you have recently been in close physical contact with someone with hepatitis A
• you have long-term liver disease
• you have a blood clotting disorder, such some people with haemophilia
• you are a man who has sex with men
• your job puts you at risk of infection – for example, you’re a healthcare worker or a sewage worker

Speak to your GP if you think you need a hepatitis A vaccine. If your job puts you at risk, your employer should organise your vaccination.

If you are travelling abroad, get advice from a travel clinic, GP, nurse, or pharmacist before you go.

You can also help prevent hepatitis A when travelling by:

• washing your hands thoroughly before preparing and eating food
• drinking bottled water
• avoiding eating shellfish and uncooked fruit and vegetables
• using a condom or dam when having sex

Symptoms of hepatitis A infection include:

• a high temperature
• flu-like symptoms, such as tiredness, headache, and muscle pains
• feeling sick or being sick
• pain in your upper tummy
• diarrhoea or constipation
• pale yellow or pale grey poo
• dark brown pee
• itchy skin – you may also have a raised rash (hives)
• yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice)

Most children, and some adults, may have mild symptoms or no symptoms.

See a GP if:

Hepatitis A usually clears up on its own within 3 to 6 months.

Your doctor may offer you medicines to help with the symptoms, such as painkillers or medicines to stop you feeling sick or itchy.

A small number of people with hepatitis A may get liver problems. You may need blood tests to check your liver is working properly.

There are some things you can do when you have hepatitis A to help ease the symptoms, and to stop infecting others.

How long you're infectious

You're usually infectious for either:

• 7 days after yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) started
• 7 days after your symptoms started, if you've not had jaundice