Hepatitis A Te mate ate kakā A
Hepatitis A is an infectious liver disease caused by a virus. It is rare in Aotearoa New Zealand, but more common in developing countries. If you are travelling overseas, ask your healthcare provider if you need the vaccine.
How hepatitis A spreads
Hepatitis A is uncommon in Aotearoa New Zealand. People usually get it overseas.
The hepatitis A virus can survive for long periods in food and water. It spreads by contact with an infected person's poo (faeces).
It can be passed on through:
- not washing hands properly
- contaminated food or water
- close personal contact with someone who has the virus, including sexual contact.
Symptoms of hepatitis A
Some people with hepatitis A, especially tamariki, may have no symptoms at all. Adults usually have symptoms.
The following symptoms can show up at different times in different people.
Early symptoms
If you get hepatitis A, it will take 15 to 50 days for the symptoms to develop.
Early symptoms of hepatitis A infection can be mistaken for the flu. The usual symptoms are:
- nausea
- stomach pain
- yellow skin or eyes (jaundice) appearing in a few days.
You are usually most infectious from 2 weeks before the start of early symptoms to at least 7 days after the start of jaundice.
Later symptoms
As the illness develops, the usual symptoms are:
- fever
- yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- abdominal discomfort
- fatigue, feeling tired (malaise)
- dark urine.
Symptoms usually last for several weeks but less than 2 months. About 1 in 10 people have symptoms that last or come and go for up to 6 months.
Older people and people with chronic liver disease or with weakened immune systems can have more severe symptoms from hepatitis A.
Complications from hepatitis A
There are usually no long-term issues from hepatitis A. Most people recover completely.
In very rare situations hepatitis A can lead to issues such as liver failure or death.
Diagnosing hepatitis A
If you think you might have hepatitis A:
- call or visit your healthcare provider
- call Healthline on 0800 611 116
There is a blood test that checks for the disease.
The role of public health
Hepatitis A is a notifiable disease. This means that healthcare providers or laboratories will inform public health when someone has it. This way, we can monitor how many people are sick and give advice on how to reduce its spread.
Immunisation is the most effective way from getting sick for people who have been in close contact with someone who has had Hepatitis A.
Staying home
If you have hepatitis A, you may need to stay away from school, early childhood centres and work during the time you may be infectious (and risk passing the infection on to others). This is normally for 7 days from the start of yellow eyes or skin (jaundice).
Public health services will tell you how long you need to stay away from these settings for and give you other advice about how to reduce the risk of passing the infection onto others.
If you do not hear from them, call Healthline for more information.
Close contacts may be given a vaccine or other treatment.
Treating hepatitis A
There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A. In most cases, your immune system will clear the infection and your liver will completely heal.
It can help to:
- rest — hepatitis A can make you tired
- protect your liver — avoid alcohol and review any medication you take with your healthcare provider.
Preventing hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is rare in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Immunisation is recommended for travel to some areas of the world. There are some high-risk groups of people who the vaccine is also recommended for.
Find out about the vaccine, who needs it and when to get it.
Other ways to avoid hepatitis A
You can also protect yourself and your whānau in other ways. Wash your hands well with soap and water:
- after using the toilet
- after changing nappies
- before preparing or eating food.