Page last updated
14 December 2021
Hepatitis A is a virus which infects and causes inflammation the liver. It causes an acute infection from which almost everyone will fully recover.
FAQ
What is hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is spread through food or drink contaminated with faeces (poo) and may also be spread by close personal contact such as anal sex. Symptoms are associated with decreased liver function and include fever, nausea, abdominal pain, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).
Hepatitis A is not common in Australia, although outbreaks have been known to occur in some communities. Hepatitis A is common (endemic) to many overseas countries.
Sources & Citations
1. Australian Government, Department of Health. The Australian Immunisation Handbook. Hepatitis A. Available at: https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/vaccine-preventable-diseases/hepatitis-a (accessed 16 November 2021).
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Viral Hepatitis. Hepatitis A Questions and Answers for the Public. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/afaq.htm (accessed 16 November 2021).
3. NSW Government. Hepatitis A Fact Sheet. Available at: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Factsheets/hepatitis-a.pdf (accessed 16 November 2021).
MAT-AU-2102452 Date of preparation December 2021
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