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Transmission + Prevention of Hepatitis A

Transmission

People with hepatitis A can pass on the virus to others from two weeks before the development of symptoms until one week after the appearance of jaundice (about three weeks in total). Large amounts of hepatitis A virus are found in faeces (stools, shit) during the infectious period. The virus can survive in the environment for several weeks in the right conditions (for example, in sewage).

Hepatitis A is usually transmitted when faeces containing hepatitis A virus is swallowed by another person by:

Handling condoms, sex toys, nappies, linen and towels soiled with the faeces of an infectious person
Direct contact (including sexual – especially rimming or group sex) with an infectious person
Eating food that has been handled by an infectious person
Drinking contaminated water.

Prevention

Vaccination
If you have HIV and haven’t already been infected with hepatitis A or B, you are advised to get these vaccinations as soon as possible. If you are infected with hepatitis C it is crucial that you receive these vaccinations to protect your liver from further damage by hepatitis A and B. Vaccinations for hepatitis A and hepatitis B are safe and effective for people with HIV and available from most HIV doctors and sexual health clinics.

Both vaccinations consist of a course of injections – usually two for hepatitis A and three for hepatitis B – given over a number of months. For the vaccine to be effective, it is important to have all the injections.

The vaccine for hepatitis A is highly effective and provides ongoing protection.

What else can be done to avoid hepatitis A?

Basic hygiene can reduce the risk of getting hepatitis A infection. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water and dry them with a clean towel:

After going to the toilet
Before eating;
Before preparing food or drink
After handling objects such as nappies, condoms, sex toys, etc.

What can be done to avoid infecting others?

If you have hepatitis A, as well as washing your hands thoroughly, you should avoid the following activities while infectious. Your doctor will tell you when you are no longer infectious. Until then:

Do NOT have sex with other people
Do NOT prepare food or drink for other people
Do NOT share eating or drinking utensils with other people
Do NOT share linen and towels with other people
Wash eating utensils in soapy water, and machine wash linen and towels

The following people who have hepatitis A should not attend work or school while infectious:

People who handle food or drink
People whose work involves close personal contact (such as child carers and health workers)
Staff, children and adolescents should not attend child care facilities or school while infectious
All patients should check with their doctor before returning to work or school.