FAQ
Is hepatitis A contagious?
Page last updated 05 November 2018
Yes.Hepatitis A is spread from person to person mainly via the faecal-oral route, which is associated with poor personal hygiene and lack of quality sanitation and water purification systems.
You can be exposed to hepatitis A via:
- Contact with contaminated food or drink, or utensils
- Close personal contact, such as sex, may also spread the virus
Hepatitis A can only infect humans.
Sources & Citations
- The Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th Edition, 4.10 Hepatitis A. Available at http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/Handbook10-home~handbook10part4~handbook10-4-4 (accessed 4 April 2018).
- Centers for Disease Control, Hepatitis A Questions and Answers for the Public. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/afaq.htm (accessed 4 April 2018).
- NSW Government, Department of Health, Hepatitis A Fact Sheet. Available at http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/Hepatitis_A.aspx (accessed 4 April 2018).
SPANZ.SAPAS.18.04.0142 - Date of preparation May 2018
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