Hepatitis A is a highly infectious virus mainly spread via contaminated food and water, or by direct contact with an infectious person.

Areas with high levels of infection include low-income countries that may have relatively poor sanitary conditions and hygiene practices. These areas include: the Indian subcontinent, Sub-Saharan and North Africa, parts of the Far East, South and Central America, and the Middle East.

Certain travellers are at increased risk of acquiring hepatitis A, including:

• those who are staying with or visiting the local population
• frequent and/or long-stay travellers to areas where sanitation and food hygiene are likely to be poor
• those with existing medical conditions such as liver disease or haemophilia
• men who have sex with men
• people who inject drugs
• those who may be exposed to the virus through their work
• those going to areas of hepatitis A outbreaks who have limited access to safe water and medical care

Children aged 6 and under often have very mild symptoms, the disease is more severe in adults.

Symptoms include tiredness, lack of appetite, sickness and high temperature, followed by jaundice. Recovery is usually within a month but some people can go on to develop on going liver problems.