What should you know about incubation period of hepatitis A virus?

The incubation period is the time between catching the virus and developing symptoms. During this interval, a person may feel well while the infection develops. Early illness can resemble a general viral illness, with tiredness, nausea, reduced appetite or feeling generally unwell. Later, some people develop yellowing of the skin or eyes and dark urine. Symptoms can be mild, especially in young children, so absence of symptoms does not rule out infection.

The timing cannot confirm when exposure happened because people may encounter the virus through contaminated food, water or close contact. A clinician may use your travel, food and household history alongside an examination and blood tests such as a [Liver Function Test](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/liver-function-test/). Read more about [Hepatitis A](/conditions/hepatitis-a/).

Contact a healthcare professional promptly if you think you were exposed, particularly if you are pregnant, have liver disease or live with someone who has hepatitis A. Post-exposure advice may include vaccination, depending on timing and your individual circumstances; see [Hepatitis A Vaccination](/treatments/preventive-care-and-vaccination/hepatitis-a-vaccination/). Wash hands carefully after using the toilet and before preparing food. Avoid preparing food for others while unwell, and follow local clinical advice about contact with household members.

Arrange medical assessment for yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, persistent vomiting, marked drowsiness, dehydration or worsening abdominal discomfort. Seek urgent help if you cannot keep fluids down, become confused or feel faint. Symptoms such as [Dark Urine](/symptoms/dark-urine/), [Nausea](/symptoms/nausea/) or [Loss of Appetite](/symptoms/loss-of-appetite/) deserve context rather than a self-diagnosis.

Ask whether your symptoms and possible exposure warrant testing, whether close contacts need preventive advice, and which foods, medicines or activities should be avoided while your liver is recovering.