In some cases people do not show any symptoms of hepatitis A, which is particularly true of young children. However, the symptoms you need to be aware of are:
- flu-like symptoms, such as tiredness, general aches and pains, headaches and fever,
- loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhoea,
- abdominal pains, and
- jaundice, which occurs because your inflamed liver is unable to remove bilirubin a substance in the blood that causes your skin and the whites of your eyes to become yellow. It may also turn your urine very dark and your stools (faeces) may become pale. Jaundice can also cause itching.
The length and severity of hepatitis A varies. You may experience flu-like symptoms for a week with the jaundice gradually improving. You may also feel tired for a up to a month or two. You are likely to have completely recovered within a couple of months, although a small amount of people may have relapses, and symptoms may persist for up to six months.
Once your have recovered from hepatitis A you are then immune from it and can never catch the virus again.
