Hepatitis A
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. The liver is located in the top right corner of the abdominal area.
Hepatitis A is a type of liver disease that is transferred via faeces (poo).
Symptoms
Symptoms usually appear about four weeks after infection. Common symptoms include:
- tiredness
- body aches and pains
- loss of appetite
- feeling sick and vomiting
- fever and chills
- upper stomach pain, usually on the right side
- eyes or skin turning yellow (jaundice).
Risk factors
The hepatitis A virus is passed on through contact with the faeces of someone with hepatitis A. It's usually spread by close personal contact with an infected person, or by eating and drinking contaminated (dirty) food or water. This can be transmitted sexually through oral-to-anal (mouth to anus) sex with someone who has hepatitis A.
Prevention
Immunisation against hepatitis A includes a course of injections over six to 12 months. Talk to your doctor if you are thinking about immunisation.
Get tested
Use our free online test to see if you qualify for a chlamydia or gonorrhoea test.
To find a sexual health service near you for STI testing use our Find a Service feature.
