How is hepatitis A transmitted?

Spread can occur when someone uses the toilet, does not clean their hands thoroughly, and then prepares food or touches shared surfaces. Eating or drinking contaminated items can also transmit the virus. Close sexual contact involving oral–anal contact can carry risk. Hepatitis A is not spread by ordinary coughing or by simply sitting near someone.

Infection may cause nausea, reduced appetite, feeling generally unwell, abdominal discomfort, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or dark urine. Some people have no noticeable symptoms but can still pass the virus. A symptom does not by itself show that a person has hepatitis A; testing and clinical assessment are needed. Read more about [Hepatitis A](/conditions/hepatitis-a/).

Wash hands carefully with soap and running water after using the toilet or changing nappies and before preparing or eating food. If you are unwell or have been diagnosed, avoid preparing food for other people until a clinician says it is appropriate. Clean contaminated bathroom surfaces and avoid sharing items that may be soiled.

Tell a clinician about close household or sexual contact after a possible exposure. They can advise on monitoring, testing, and whether [Hepatitis A Vaccination](/treatments/preventive-care-and-vaccination/hepatitis-a-vaccination/) is suitable. A [Liver Function Test](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/liver-function-test/) may be part of an assessment when symptoms or examination findings suggest liver involvement.

Contact a clinician promptly if you develop symptoms after close contact with someone who has hepatitis A, or if you ate food linked to a suspected exposure. Seek urgent care for confusion, severe dehydration, repeated vomiting, fainting, or rapidly worsening yellowing of the skin or eyes. Mention pregnancy, existing liver disease, or medicines that affect immunity because these details can change the assessment.

Ask: What kind of contact counts as an exposure? Should people in my household be assessed or vaccinated? How long should I avoid preparing food, and which symptoms require urgent review?