Who does hepatitis A affect?

Anyone who has not been vaccinated or developed immunity through a prior infection can become infected. The following groups are at particular risk:

• people travelling to tropical regions, the Mediterranean, or Eastern Europe
• people who practise anal sex
• people who come into contact with faeces as part of their occupation

How is hepatitis A transmitted?

Transmission mainly takes place through consumption of water or food which is contaminated with faeces. Most people become infected while travelling as a result of poor hygiene standards.

It is also possible to become infected during sex, mainly anal sex and analingus (rimming).

How can I protect myself?

Vaccination is the only form of protection. We recommend vaccination to everyone, but especially to those at a heightened risk of infection. 

What symptoms can appear?

For most adults, the infection results in symptoms such as:

• yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• flu-like symptoms, fatigue, headaches, fever
• nausea, constipation and diarrhoea

How do they test for hepatitis A?

A blood sample is examined to identify an infection.

How is hepatitis A treated?

There is no treatment for hepatitis A – it is only possible to ease the symptoms.

Recovery from a hepatitis A infection can take a few weeks or several months and requires plenty of bed rest. Alcohol and medications that can adversely affect the liver should be avoided.