Hepatitis A
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. There are many causes of hepatitis, some more serious than others. For example, alcohol excess and several different viruses can cause hepatitis. One type of virus which causes hepatitis is called the hepatitis A virus. This leaflet is only about hepatitis A. See other leaflets for information about hepatitis B and C which are different.
Who gets hepatitis A and how common is it?
Anyone at any age can develop hepatitis A. The virus is passed out in the faeces (motions). In areas of poor sanitation and poor water supplies, hepatitis A can become common due to contaminated water and food. For example, you may become infected with the virus by eating uncooked food prepared or washed in contaminated water, or by drinking contaminated water. Shellfish caught in contaminated water can carry the hepatitis A virus. The highest risk areas of the world include: Africa, Asia, and parts of eastern Europe and parts of the middle East.
Hepatitis A has become uncommon in parts of the world where sanitation is generally good such as the UK. However, outbreaks in schools and families sometimes occur in the UK as the virus is quite easily passed on from person to person if personal hygiene is not good. For example, if infected people do not wash their hands after going to the toilet.
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