Having hepatitis means that your liver has become inflamed. Hepatitis can be caused by a number of things including:
There are a number of viruses that infect the liver. The best known are hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. The ways in which they are spread, how they cause liver damage and the effects they can have on your health, are different. (Only hepatitis B, C and D cause chronic disease.)
Apart from hepatitis A, hepatitis B and C are the biggest problems for people in the UK.
Hepatitis A, sometimes called hep A or HAV, is a virus that is carried in the blood which infects and damages the liver. A virus is a tiny particle that needs to infect and control the cells of your body in order to live and reproduce. You can prevent illness by having a vaccination that will protect you from being infected for up to 10 years.
Where is hepatitis A common?
Hepatitis A is common in places where water supplies and sewage disposal are of a poor standard, and where personal and food hygiene standards are poor.
Southern and Eastern Europe, Africa and parts of the Middle and Far East are high-risk areas.
How is hepatitis A passed on?
Hepatitis A is passed from person to person by eating food or drinking water contaminated (infected) with the virus. The illness can spread easily within families and where people live closely together.
The virus is passed out in the bowel motions of an infected person, which is why it is important to wash your hands after going to the toilet. Drinking water can be contaminated with the virus.
Fruit, vegetables and uncooked food washed in contaminated water can cause infection, especially in hot countries. Shellfish can be infected if it comes from sea contaminated with sewage. Cooked food is safe, but can be contaminated if it has been handled by someone with the virus.
Infection is not very common in the UK. But the true number of people affected is unknown as people who only have mild symptoms may not go to a doctor.