What should you know about the hepatitis A virus?

The virus can spread when tiny amounts of infected stool reach another person's mouth, including through contaminated food, water or close contact. Some people have few symptoms, while others develop tiredness, nausea, loss of appetite, fever, abdominal discomfort, dark urine or yellowing of the eyes. A person can spread the virus before feeling unwell.

A clinician may use symptoms, an examination and blood tests to assess the infection. A liver function test can show how the liver is responding, but results are interpreted with the rest of the assessment. Hepatitis A does not become a lifelong infection in the way some other hepatitis viruses can.

Arrange medical advice if you have symptoms or believe you have been exposed. Rest, drink fluids in small frequent amounts and choose foods you can tolerate. Avoid alcohol and check before taking medicines or supplements because some can stress the liver. Wash hands carefully after using the toilet and before preparing food, and follow local advice about staying away from work, school or food handling.

Seek urgent care for confusion, unusual sleepiness, repeated vomiting, severe dehydration, bleeding, intense abdominal pain or rapidly worsening yellow skin or eyes. A person who is pregnant, very young, older, or living with liver disease should seek advice early after symptoms or a known exposure.

Ask whether testing is needed, how long to avoid close contact or food preparation, which medicines are suitable, and whether household or close contacts should discuss hepatitis A vaccination.