Hepatitis A
What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver, which causes jaundice and is highly infectious.
How did I get it?
From any of the following sources:
- From consuming contaminated food or water
- From close contact with another infected person
- From sharing food with an infected person
- From swimming in contaminated water
When did I get it?
The illness usually occurs within 15 - 40 days of infection, and will be most infectious for 2 weeks before the onset of illness and for up to 7 days after the jaundice appears.
What are the signs and symptoms?
- ‘Tea’ coloured urine
- Fever
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Jaundiced skin and eyes
- Itching
How do I stop it spreading?
- Wash hands thoroughly after going to the toilet, after changing baby’s nappies and before preparing meals or eating
- Young children with the infection should have their hands washed for them or be supervised
- Thoroughly wash all crockery between uses
- Disinfect all areas in the toilet daily (including door handles)
- Infected persons should stay away from work until vomiting and diarrhoea have ceased
- If the infected person is a food handler, works as a health carer / nurse or is a child attending school or a nursery etc. further advice should be obtained.
Where can I get more advice?
- Your own General Medical Practitioner or a health specialist will be able to advise upon individual patient health care.
- You should inform your place of work or in the case of children, the head teacher of the school to find out if exclusion is necessary and when you can return.
- The investigating officer will also provide you with a more general leaflet on infection control and may be contacted on the number below for further advice if it is required.
Powys County Council
Environmental Health Department
Neuadd Maldwyn
Severn Road
Welshpool
Powys
SY21 7AS
Tel no: 0845 6027037
