What should you know about hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A spreads mainly when the virus reaches the mouth through contaminated food, water or close contact. It affects the liver and may begin with vague symptoms before jaundice appears. Some people have few symptoms, while others feel unwell with nausea, poor appetite, abdominal discomfort, fever or marked tiredness.

A liver function test can show how the liver is responding, but specific blood tests are used to confirm the infection. Hepatitis A is different from hepatitis B and hepatitis C, and it does not become a long-term infection in the same way.

Arrange medical assessment and describe recent travel, food or water exposure, close contacts and when symptoms began. Rest, drink fluids and eat small meals if tolerated. Avoid alcohol and check before taking medicines or supplements that may affect the liver.

Wash hands carefully after using the toilet and before preparing food. Do not prepare food for other people while infectious, and follow local public-health advice about contact notification and vaccination. A hepatitis A vaccination may help prevent infection before exposure and can be advised after certain exposures.

Seek prompt medical advice for yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, persistent vomiting, worsening abdominal pain, inability to keep fluids down or increasing drowsiness. Get urgent help for confusion, collapse, severe dehydration or bleeding.

Ask which tests are needed, how long you may be infectious, how to protect household contacts, which medicines to avoid, and when you should return if symptoms worsen.