Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by
a virus that's spread in the poo of an infected person.
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver
infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. The virus is one of several types of
hepatitis viruses that cause inflammation and affect your liver's ability to
function.
Hepatitis A can be unpleasant, but it's not
usually serious and most people make a full recovery within a couple of months.
You're most likely to contract hepatitis A
from contaminated food or water or from close contact with someone who's
infected. Mild cases of hepatitis A don't require treatment, and most people
who are infected recover completely with no permanent liver damage.
Practicing good hygiene, including washing
hands frequently, is one of the best ways to protect against hepatitis A.
Vaccines are available for people most at risk
Some people, particularly young children,
may not have any symptoms. But hepatitis A can occasionally last for many
months and, in rare cases, it can be life-threatening if it causes the liver to
stop working properly (liver failure).
