Page content: What is hepatitis? | Symptoms | How does hep A spread? | Prevention | Immunisation | I think I have hep A | Spread | Can I work? | Child care centres | Further information | In your language

What is hepatitis?

Hepatitis is the name for several different illnesses which all cause the same problem: an inflamed (swollen or painful) liver. The liver is a vital part of the body. If it does not function properly,it can cause serious illness or sometimes even death.

Drinking alcohol or taking drugs can cause hepatitis. It can also be caused by infectious viruses. The different types of virus are known by different letters - A, B, C, D and E - so the different forms of the disease are called 'hepatitis A', 'hepatitis B' and so on.Sometimes people shorten the name, and say 'hep A' or 'hep B'.

All these viruses cause similar problems but are spread in different ways. So the ways to prevent people catching the disease are different too.

See information about other types of hepatitis:

• Hepatitis B - the facts
• Hepatitis C - the facts

What are the symptoms?

Some people who are infected with hepatitis A do no get very ill.Some do not get sick at all. Children are more likely than adults to show no symptoms even if they are infected. In more severe cases,hepatitis A can cause:

• Loss of appetite.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Pain in the liver (under the right rib cage).
• Jaundice (when the urine becomes darker than normal and the eye sand skin go yellow.

Symptoms may last for several weeks but full recovery is usual.

After catching the virus it usually takes about 28 days to become ill, but it can take any time from 15 to 50 days. People with hepatitis can pass it on to others from two weeks before they show symptoms to one week after they become jaundiced.

How does hepatitis A spread?

Hepatitis A occurs when the hepatitis A virus is taken in by mouth.The virus then multiplies in the liver and is passed in the faeces. An infected person's hands can become contaminated after using the toilet and the virus then spreads by direct contact, or by food, beverages and other objects that were handled by the infected person, such as cups and spoons.

For example, hepatitis A can spread when people:

• Don't wash their hands thoroughly after going to the toilet or changing nappies.
• Eat non-cooked foods, such as salads, which have been contaminated by being handled by an infectious person.
• Eat shellfish from contaminated waters.
• Drink contaminated water.

Hepatitis A may also be spread sexually if there is contact with the anal area of anyone who is infectious.

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How can I avoid getting hepatitis A?

By following these guidelines, everyone can do something to avoid getting hepatitis A.

Careful Hand Washing
Remember to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm running water for at least fifteen seconds:

• Before preparing food.
• Between handling raw and ready to eat foods.
• Before eating.
• After going to the toilet or after changing nappies.
• After handling used condoms or after contact with the anal area.

Food handlers should use single use, disposable paper towels or an air dryer to dry their hands. Cloth towels are not recommended as these get dirty quickly and can spread germs from one person to another.

Safer sex practices should also be adopted by using condoms. make sure that you wash your hands after handling used condoms, or after contact with the anal area.

Household Cleaning
Bathrooms and toilets must be cleaned often to avoid the spread of viruses. Pay particular attention to surfaces such as toilet seats, handles, taps and nappy change tables.

Water from Untreated Sources
If a water supply comes from an untreated source, such as a lake or a river, it may be contaminated with human faeces. Always boil water from these sources before drinking it.

Immunisation

Some people are at increased risk of hepatitis A and should be immunised.

Immunisation against hepatitis A involves a course of injections over six to 12 months and is highly effective in providing protection against this disease. To get the vaccine you need to visit a doctor.

The NHMRC recommend that the following people should be vaccinated:

• People who have liver disease or who have had a liver transplant.
• People who regularly receive blood products, such as those used for treating haemophilia and other blood disorders.
• Food handlers.
• Men who have sexual contact with other men.
• People travelling to developing countries.
• People who are at occupational risk of exposure to hepatitis A,including:
  • Child care workers, particularly where the children are too young to have been toilet trained.
  • People who work with the intellectually disabled.
  • Health care workers and teachers in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
  • Health care workers in paediatric and infectious diseases wards,emergency rooms and intensive care units.
  • Sewerage Workers

Overseas Travel
People travelling overseas, particularly to developing countries, need to take special care to avoid hepatitis A. Before travelling, talk to your doctor about protection.

Careful selection and preparation of food and drink is vital:

• If you cannot peel it or boil it, leave it alone.
• Don't eat uncooked foods, particularly:
  • Vegetables and fruit which cannot be peeled before eating.
  • Shellfish.
  • Unpackaged drinks and ice.

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I think I've got hepatitis A - what should I do?

If you have symptoms of hepatitis A report them to your doctor immediately.

Hepatitis A may be diagnosed by a simple blood test and although there is no specific treatment for it, a doctor can help prevent others from catching the infection.

An injection (immunoglobulin or gammaglobulin) is usually offered to all household and intimate contacts of cases of hepatitis A. Immunoglobulin may prevent hepatitis A, or at least cause symptoms to be milder,but must be given within 14 days of contact with an infectious person to be effective. This injection is not the same as the vaccine and offers short term protection against the disease for contacts of cases.

If you have hepatitis A, avoid alcohol until your liver has recovered and get plenty of rest.

How can I stop spreading it to household members and others?

While you are infectious:

Do:

• Wash your hands carefully after using the toilet.
• Clean bathrooms and toilets often, and pay particular attention to surfaces such as toilet seats, handles, taps and nappy change tables.

Do not:

• Prepare or handle food that will be eaten by other people.
• Share any eating utensils.
• Share other personal items such as tooth brushes, towels or face washers.

Can I continue to work?

Food handlers with hepatitis A must not work for at least one week after they become jaundiced. To avoid transmission of hepatitis A in the workplace, it is advisable that people, especially child care workers and health care workers remain away from work for one week after the onset of jaundice.

Under the Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 2001, children with hepatitis A must not attend child care, kindergartens or school until a medical certificate of recovery is received, but not before seven days after the onset of jaundice.

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Child Care centres

Although children with hepatitis A under the age of five rarely have symptoms, hepatitis A can spread easily in child care centres.Therefore, it is important that centres have policies on handwashing and cleaning procedures. Ensure that everyone at the centre follows these procedures thoroughly.

When cases of hepatitis A occur amongst families or employees at a child care centre, it may be the first sign of an outbreak within the centre. To assist in preventing the spread of hepatitis A, you must notify the director of a centre if your child attending the centre gets hepatitis A.

Further information

Contact the Communicable Diseases section

Language assistance may be gained through the TIS, the Translating and Interpreting Service, for the cost of a local call, on 131 450.

In your language

This information is also available as a PDF in the following languages:Arabic, Bosnian, Cambodian, Chinese, Portuguese, Serbian, Somali, Spanish,Turkish and Vietnamese.

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