Topic: Hepatitis A
Description
Hepatitis A, also known as infectious hepatitis, is an acute infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus. The seriousness of the disease can vary. Some people, especially small children, may not show any symptoms even though they may have the virus and can pass it onto others. The disease is usually more serious in adults than in children.
Symptoms
The symptoms of hepatitis A are fever, generalised aches and pains, nausea, lack of appetite and abdominal discomfort. Dark urine is usually the first specific sign of acute hepatitis A, followed a day or two later by jaundice (yellow skin and eyes) and pale coloured bowel motions.
The duration of the illness is variable. However, most people feel better by the third week. Occasionally, generally in adults, it presents as a serious, disabling disease lasting several months. There are usually no long term effects as a direct result of hepatitis A infection. Unlike hepatitis B or C, people cannot become chronic carriers of hepatitis A virus.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A. Management of people infected with the virus is aimed at treating the symptoms of the infection. People with hepatitis A are sometimes sick enough to be admitted to hospital although this is rare.
Health Outcome
Complications of hepatitis A are uncommon but on rare occasions can include liver failure resulting in death.
Prevention
The virus is usually spread when faeces from an infected person contaminates something which is transferred to another persons mouth. The virus can be passed on by:
- food that has been handled by or shared with an infected person
- drinking contaminated water
- hands after touching infected faeces, nappies, linen and towels
- oral or anal sex.
The virus can survive in a dried form at room temperature for several weeks and in water for longer periods.
It usually takes about 28-30 days from contact with the virus until starting to feel unwell. However, it can take up to 50 days.
Infected people can pass on the virus to others from about two weeks before and up to one week after the appearance of dark urine or jaundice.
Control
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.
Hand washing and good hygiene practices are essential and are the most effective ways of reducing the spread of hepatitis A infection. Hands should be washed thoroughly in soap and water for at least 15 seconds and then dried thoroughly. It is important to wash hands after going to the toilet, touching soiled linen or articles and before preparing or eating food.
Close contacts of an infectious person will usually need an injection of either vaccine or immunoglobulin. This may prevent illness if given within two weeks of contact with the infectious person. Contacts who need vaccine or immunoglobulin generally include household members, sexual partners, other people in the same child care group or preschool classroom, and anyone who has eaten food prepared by the infected person where the food is not cooked after preparation.
Vaccination
The hepatitis A vaccine is safe and effective. It is recommended and provided free of charge for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Queensland, because of the high incidence of hepatitis A infection in these communities. The vaccine is given to these children at 18 months of age with a booster at 2 years of age.
The vaccine is also recommended (but not funded) for people at high risk of exposure to the disease, such as:
- travellers to and Australians living in countries where hepatitis A is common (most developing countries)
- people living or working in rural and remote Indigenous communities
- child care and preschool staff
- the intellectually disabled and their carers
- health care workers who regularly provide care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
- plumbers and sewage workers
- sex workers
- men who have sex with men
- injecting drug users
- people with chronic liver disease
- people chronically infected with either hepatitis B or C viruses
Help and Assistance
For further information please contact your local doctor, community health centre, sexual health clinic or nearest public health unit.
Other Resources
Queensland Health immunisation and hepatitis A fact sheet
Queensland Health hepatitis A – sexual health contacts fact sheet
Immunise Australia Website
Footnotes
Heymann D, ed. 2008. Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, 19th edition. Washington, DC: American Public Health Association, pp 247-253.
Australian Government. 2008. The Australian Immunisation Handbook, 9th edition.
Last Updated: 19th July, 2010
Date Valid to: 31st December, 2010
