Hepatitis A while pregnant: what to know

Pregnancy can make nausea, appetite loss, and tiredness harder to interpret because they may also occur in normal pregnancy. Hepatitis A can add liver inflammation, vomiting, poor intake, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin and eyes. The infection should be assessed by a clinician who knows you are pregnant, so symptoms can be separated from pregnancy-related changes and medicines can be chosen carefully. Do not assume that an over-the-counter remedy or herbal product is suitable for your liver or pregnancy.

Contact your maternity team, GP, or urgent care service if you have symptoms or a known exposure. Keep drinking small amounts often if nausea allows, and note your urine colour, ability to eat, vomiting, and temperature. Ask before taking paracetamol, anti-sickness medicines, supplements, or other treatments. A clinician may arrange a Liver Function Test and coordinate results with your pregnancy team. If someone at home has hepatitis A, use careful handwashing and do not prepare food for others until you receive advice.

Seek urgent help if you cannot keep fluids down, pass very little urine, feel faint, become confused or unusually sleepy, have severe abdominal pain, or develop rapidly worsening yellow skin or eyes. Call promptly for persistent vomiting, dark urine, or marked weakness even if you are unsure whether the symptoms are pregnancy-related. Tell the service how many weeks pregnant you are and whether you had a recent exposure.

Ask which tests are needed, how to manage nausea and hydration safely, whether your household needs advice, and whether Hepatitis A Vaccination is appropriate for your situation.