Topic: Hepatitis A - sexual health contacts
Description
Hepatitis A virus is passed from person to person through the "faecal-oral" route. This means that the faeces (stools) of an infected person contain the virus. Going to the toilet can leave traces of the virus on the hands of an infected person. Handling the nappies of an infected child can also leave traces of the virus on the hands. Hands should be thoroughly washed after going to the toilet or handling nappies, but even the best hand washing may still leave traces of hepatitis A virus on the hands.
Symptoms
The early signs of infection include:
- general aches and pains
- fever
- sweats
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- lack of appetite, leading to weight loss
- pain in the abdomen.
Three to 10 days later, signs might include:
- skin and whites of the eyes start to look yellow (jaundice)
- urine may become dark in colour
- faeces can be pale-coloured.
Many of these symptoms can be caused by other reasons. They are not always caused by hepatitis A. It usually takes about four weeks from contact with the virus until early signs of infection appear.
Treatment
Hepatitis A can be detected through a blood test. As the symptoms and signs can be caused by other diseases, other tests can be done at the same time.
If you or any member of your family have been diagnosed with hepatitis A, it is important to tell people you have been in close contact with. This includes sexual partners. People at risk of getting hepatitis A through contact with someone with the infection can be given treatment to prevent the infection.
While there is no cure for hepatitis A, patients are advised to:
- rest
- drink plenty of fluids
- avoid fatty/oily foods
- avoid alcohol
- go back to their local doctor for a check up and tests to make sure the liver gets better.
Health Outcome
Hepatitis A is an acute (short term) infection most people who become infected with Hepatitis A recover completely. Around 15 per cent of cases have recurrences for up to a year after initial infection.
No chronic infection is known to occur. However, people who already have chronic liver disease at time of becoming infected do have increased risk of dying from serious hepatitis A infection.
Prevention
The virus can be spread through:
- food or drink prepared by an infected person
- using eating utensils that have been handled by an infected person
- sharing a cigarette or smoking equipment (such as bongs) with an infected person.
- poor hygiene
- oral and anal sex (including more extreme behaviours such as "rimming" and "fisting" have been linked with outbreaks of hepatitis A)
- touching a condom, penis or even a finger that has been inserted into the anus of an infected person may leave traces of faeces on the hands, which can then get into the mouth and cause hepatitis A.
People with hepatitis A can pass the infection on to other people. For one week after the beginnings of jaundice begins, they should:
- avoid handling or preparing food for other people
- avoid sharing cigarettes, smoking implements, toothbrushes, food or drinks with other people
- avoid sexual contact.
Condoms should be worn for anal sex and gloves used for "fisting" to reduce the spread of other infections, however these provide inadequate protection against hepatitis A. If you are giving a man oral sex (his penis in your mouth), then he will need to wear a condom. It does not matter whether you are male or female, if you put your mouth in contact with your partner’s anus or vulva while having sex, you will need to use a dental dam.
People in close contact with someone with hepatitis A may be at risk of getting the infection. They should see their doctor to discuss their risk. This risk can be reduced by:
- being vaccinated against hepatitis A
- having an injection of immunoglobulin (this only works within two weeks of contact with the infection).
Vaccination is recommended for people at high risk of coming into contact with the virus. These people include:
- travellers,
- especially people travelling to or staying in areas where hepatitis A is common (Asia, Africa, South Pacific, Central and South America) should be vaccinated before leaving Australia
- homosexual and bisexual men as men who have sex with other men are at risk of hepatitis A. Condoms do not protect against this risk, and these people should be vaccinated if they are not already immune.
- injecting drug users.
Help and Assistance
For more information on Hepatitis A, you can talk to:
- your local doctor
- your local sexual health clinic
- your local family planning clinic
- Hepatitis Council Queensland.
Other Resources
Queensland Health Sexual Health website
Related Content
Hepatitis B - Sexual health Contacts fact sheet
Last Updated: 14th October, 2008
Date Valid to: 31st December, 2008
