Where does hepatitis A come from?

Hepatitis A is passed when the virus enters the mouth, often through microscopic traces from stool. This can happen if hands are not washed properly after using the toilet, if food is handled while someone is infected, or if water and food become contaminated. Close household or sexual contact can also allow spread. It is not caused by ordinary liver strain, and it is not the same infection as hepatitis B or hepatitis C. A person may feel generally unwell, lose appetite, feel nauseated, or notice dark urine as the liver becomes inflamed.

Wash your hands with soap and water after toilet use and before eating or preparing food. If you have symptoms or were told you have hepatitis A, avoid preparing meals for other people and ask a clinician about staying away from close contacts during the infectious period. Tell the clinician about recent travel, shared meals, household exposure, and your vaccination history. Hepatitis A Vaccination can help prevent infection for people who are eligible, including some travellers and people with particular health risks.

Arrange prompt assessment after a known exposure or if you develop nausea, appetite loss, unusual tiredness, dark urine, pale stools, or yellowing of the skin or eyes. Seek urgent help for confusion, severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, or signs of dehydration. A Liver Function Test may help assess liver irritation, but your clinician will choose tests based on the timing and pattern of symptoms.

Ask whether your contact counts as a meaningful exposure, whether vaccination is suitable now, how long to use extra hygiene precautions, and which changes in urine, skin colour, or alertness need urgent help.