Latest News:
Services for Young People
Confidential information and advice on sexual health
Nearest service to meC-Card Issue Points
Where you can register or collect free condoms, including using our new Click and Collect
Find the nearest to meHepatitis A - What is it?
Hepatitis A is caused by a virus that infects the liver. It can be easy to pass on during sex. It can also be contracted through contaminated food and water. Most people will make a full recovery. Hepatitis A symptoms can be so mild you may not realise you have it, but up to six weeks after infection it can cause flu-like symptoms, nausea and jaundice (yellowing of the skin).
Hepatitis A lives in faeces and can be transmitted through:
- Food or water contaminated with faeces
- Through oral or anal sex, when tiny amounts of faeces get on fingers and get into the mouth through rimming, fingering or anal sex without condoms.
As well as vaccination, the infection can be avoided through careful hygiene during and after sex. The advice is to:
- Wash your hands after sex
- Use protection for fingering, rimming and fisting
- Change condoms between anal and oral sex
- Avoid sharing sex toys
- Hepatitis A vaccine consists of two injections over a 6 - 12 months and is an effective method of preventing Hepatitis A.
