What should you know about picornavirus hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A virus belongs to the picornavirus family and can spread when tiny amounts of infected stool reach food, water, hands, or surfaces. The illness can cause tiredness, nausea, reduced appetite, discomfort under the ribs, and yellowing of the skin or eyes. Dark urine may occur as the liver processes bile differently. Symptoms can develop after exposure and may vary in intensity; some people have few symptoms, especially children.

A clinician may assess your symptoms, examine you, and order blood tests. A liver function test can help show how the liver is responding, although test results need to be interpreted with the rest of your assessment.

Rest, drink enough fluid to avoid dehydration, and eat small meals if nausea or loss of appetite makes eating difficult. Avoid alcohol and check every medicine, supplement, or herbal product with a clinician or pharmacist because the inflamed liver may handle substances differently. Wash hands carefully after using the toilet and before preparing food, and avoid preparing food for other people while you may be infectious.

Contact a GP for advice about testing and follow-up. Vaccination can help prevent hepatitis A before exposure and may be advised after certain exposures, depending on timing and personal circumstances.

Seek urgent medical help for confusion, unusual sleepiness, severe dehydration, repeated vomiting, severe abdominal pain, bleeding, or rapidly worsening yellowing of the skin or eyes. Arrange prompt assessment if you cannot keep fluids down, your urine becomes very dark, or you feel increasingly unwell.

Ask whether you need hepatitis A testing, how to interpret your liver results, how long to limit close contact or food preparation, and whether household or sexual contacts should discuss vaccination or post-exposure advice.