Hepatitis A, also called 'hep A' is a virus that causes inflammation or damage in the liver.
The hepatitis A virus is found in the faeces (poo) of people and is usually spread by close personal contact (including sexual contact).
Deaths from hepatitis A are rare, but some people get very sick.
Hepatitis A is a different virus to hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
Hepatitis A is a viral infection and can be spread though poor hand washing and hygiene of an infected person or by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Hepatitis A can also be transmitted through anal or oral sex with a person infected.
It is important to be careful when travelling overseas where hepatitis A is common.
Symptoms usually begin around 4 weeks after exposure to the virus for older children and adults. They can include:
Some infected children may not show symptoms.
There is no special treatment for hepatitis A.
Most people get better on their own after a few months. Some older children and adults will need to go to hospital.
The symptoms usually last for a few weeks, but the tiredness can last longer.
Once you’ve had hepatitis A, you can’t get it again.
There is a vaccine available to protect against the transmission of Hepatitis A. Two doses of the vaccine, six months apart are recommended for best protection.
The hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for:
Anyone who wants to protect themselves against hepatitis A can talk to their immunisation provider about getting vaccinated.
The hepatitis A vaccine is free for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who live in: Queensland, the Northern Territory, Western Australia or South Australia. For everyone else, there is a cost.
