Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is usually a mild disease affecting the liver that lasts for a few weeks. There are no long-term effects as a direct result of Hepatitis A infection. Unlike Hepatitis B or C, people cannot become long-term carriers of Hepatitis A virus.
Symptoms
- It usually takes about four weeks after first contact with an infected person before the early signs of the infection appear. These may include general aches/pains, fever, sweats, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, lack of appetite and pain in the tummy.
- Three to ten days later, symptoms might include jaundice (yellowing of whites of eyes and skin), dark urine and pale faeces.
- Remember, these symptoms are not always caused by Hepatitis A.
How do you get it?
Hepatitis A is not classified as an STI but people are at risk of infection due to unsafe oral and anal sex.
The most common ways the virus can be spread is via hand to mouth (oro-faecal route) such as:
- 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 (eg. ‘bongs’) with an infected person
- poor hygiene (eg. not washing your hands after using the toilet) and
- unsafe oral and anal sex.
What’s the treatment?
If you have the infection, you’ll need complete bed rest. Most people are well within three months. Your doctor will advise how best to treat the symptoms.
There is a vaccine to prevent Hepatitis A so speak to your local doctor, family planning or sexual health clinic.
What to do
For advice, see your local doctor, family planning clinic or sexual health clinic.
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