Hepatitis A (hep A or HAV) is an acute infection that causes inflammation (swelling) of the liver. There are approximately 1.4 million cases of hepatitis A globally every year. Hepatitis A is not very common in Australia.

You can get hepatitis A when faeces (poo) that is infected with hepatitis A comes in contact with their mouth.

The ways that it might happen include:

The symptoms of hepatitis A will be different for children and adults. Babies and young children generally do not get sick. Generally, adults will be sick for about a month and have some of the
following symptoms:

The only way to know for sure if you have hepatitis A is to have a blood test. People often don’t go to the doctor because they think that they just had a bad case of gastro.

The incubation period (time between being exposed and getting sick) is about 15 to 50 days. Hepatitis A will be excreted (in faeces) for 2 weeks before you get sick. You are considered to be infectious for 1 week after the jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes) starts.

Yes, there is a vaccination for hepatitis A. You will have two injections six months apart. However, if you forgot to get the second injection, it is never too late. Once you have the second vaccination you will get long-term immunity.

The other option is to have the Twinrix vaccination that will provide immunisation for hepatitis A and hepatitis B. This vaccination is three injections given over six months. It is likely that you will have to pay for either type of vaccination.

The following people should consider getting vaccinated:

Most adults will feel sick but usually fully recover within eight weeks; often feeling better by the third week. There are rare cases where Hepatitis A can cause further health complications.

Most people won’t need treatment (medication) for hepatitis A. Your immune system will activate and you will develop antibodies that fight off the virus, curing it from your body. These antibodies give you a lifelong immunity.

There is no treatment for hepatitis A, but resting, drinking lots of fluids, and eating when you can will definitely help you feel better. Only take medications that are essential and do not drink any alcohol. You should also not drink alcohol while you are getting better.

To prevent getting hepatitis A, consider having the vaccination. Personal hygiene is the easiest way to prevent transmitting hepatitis A to others. So remember to wash your hands after going to the toilet or changing nappies and before preparing food for others.

Under the food safety standard food handlers must tell their supervisor if they have hepatitis A or if they may have contaminated food. While the symptoms are short term they can sometimes be quite severe. Most people will require sick leave. Employers need to minimise risks and hazards in the workplace as well as providing the employee with privacy and confidentiality.

If a person is working in an area where hepatitis A may cause a risk to others, (such as food handling) then employers need to review safety standards and minimise any potential risks. During the acute phase of hepatitis A, the employee should not work in any area where there is a risk of transmission.

According to Queensland Health “people with hepatitis A should not return to work, school or child care until they are no longer infectious which is at least seven days after the onset of jaundice.”

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