Hepatitis A
State and Territory information:
There are several different hepatitis viruses that can cause liver infections and damage. Hepatitis A is one of these.
Hepatitis A spreads by contact with infected faeces. The virus survives well on hands and in food kept at room temperature for several hours. It can also spread through contaminated water in some countries.
Symptoms can show between 15 and 50 days after infection and they include:
- fever;
- weakness;
- tiredness;
- vomiting;
- poor appetite;
- nausea;
- jaundice (yellow colouring of eyes, skin and urine); and
- dark urine and pale faeces.
Vaccination recommended for routine childhood immunisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders is listed on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule and funded for all Indigenous children younger than 5 years of age living in Queensland, the Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia under the Immunise Australia Program.
People in high risk occupations should consider vaccination against hepatitis A. Contact your healthcare provider, doctor and/or State or Territory Health Department for more details.
For technical information refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook 9th Edition 2008 (NHMRC).
Page last modified: 08 April, 2008