Is hepatitis A a communicable disease?

Communicable means the infection can pass from one person to another. Hepatitis A commonly spreads through the faecal-oral route: material from an infected person's stool is transferred to food, water, hands, or an object and then swallowed. Close contact in a household or care setting can make this easier. A person may be infectious before symptoms are recognised, so someone can spread the virus without looking ill.

The infection does not spread simply because two people share the same air. Symptoms such as feeling generally unwell, nausea, loss of appetite, dark urine, or yellowing can suggest a liver problem but cannot establish the cause without assessment and testing.

If hepatitis A is suspected or confirmed, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after toilet use and before touching food. Do not cook for others while unwell unless a clinician says it is safe. Keep personal towels separate, clean bathroom touchpoints, and tell close contacts to seek advice after a known exposure. Hepatitis A Vaccination may be recommended for prevention in particular situations.

Arrange prompt advice after close contact with a confirmed case, even if you feel well, because prevention may be time-sensitive. Seek urgent help if you cannot keep fluids down, become confused or unusually drowsy, develop severe abdominal pain, or have rapidly worsening jaundice. Ask for assessment if compatible symptoms follow a possible exposure.

Ask whether you should be tested, how long you may be contagious, when normal food preparation can resume, what household cleaning is needed, and whether contacts should receive vaccination.