Hepatitis A Testing
At Stigma Health, we’re here to make it easier for everyone — regardless of gender identity, background or lifestyle — to look after their health without delay, discomfort or awkward face-to-face appointments. Whether you’re concerned about exposure, planning travel, or experiencing symptoms, getting a hepatitis A test with us is quick, private, and hassle-free. Get tested today.
What is hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a viral infection caused by the hepatitis A virus that affects the liver. Unlike hepatitis B and hepatitis C, it doesn’t lead to chronic hepatitis or long-term liver disease, and most people make a full recovery without any lasting effects. That said, acute viral hepatitis caused by the hepatitis A virus can still be unpleasant, highly contagious, and occasionally serious — particularly for people with existing digestive and kidney diseases or compromised immune systems
In Australia, hepatitis A infection rates are relatively low compared to other parts of the world. Still, outbreaks do occur — particularly linked to contaminated food, overseas travel, or close contact with someone who is infectious (1).
Between 1997 and 2016, hepatitis A was responsible for 35 deaths in Australia (2). While that number may seem low, the real risk lies in its ability to spread rapidly through communities — often before symptoms begin. That’s why understanding your risk and knowing how to get tested for hepatitis A is so important.
At Stigma Health, we provide discreet, hassle-free hepatitis A tests Australia-wide. Get tested today or contact our team for more information.
How is hepatitis A transmitted?
The incubation period for hepatitis A ranges from 15 to 50 days, with an average of about four weeks. During this time, someone may not feel sick at all — but they can still pass the virus on to others.
Hepatitis A is primarily spread via the faecal-oral route, which means transmission can occur through:
- Eating or drinking contaminated food or water
- Touching surfaces or objects contaminated with faeces, then touching your mouth
- Close sexual activity, especially involving oral-anal contact, also known as rimming (3)
- Consuming raw or undercooked shellfish harvested from sewage-contaminated water (2)
The virus is tough: it can survive on hands for hours, in food at room temperature, and in the environment for long periods. It’s also resistant to heat and freezing, making safe food handling and hygiene practices critical for virus infection control.
Who is at risk of hepatitis A?
You’re considered protected if you’ve received the hepatitis A vaccine or have recovered from a previous HAV infection (HAV stands for hepatitis A virus). If you haven’t been vaccinated or exposed before, you’re vulnerable to acquiring the infection if exposed.
People more likely to be exposed include:
- Travellers visiting regions with low sanitation and poor access to clean water
- People engaging in certain types of sexual activity (particularly oral-anal contact, also known as rimming)
- Those working in childcare, aged care, or food service
- People who use drugs (injected or non-injected)
- People with existing liver or kidney diseases
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, where rates have historically been higher due to systemic health inequalities (5)
Even if you don’t think you’re at high risk, it’s worth knowing that up to 40% of hepatitis A cases have no identifiable exposure factors (3). That’s why it’s so important to know how to test for hepatitis A, especially if you’ve experienced symptoms, travelled recently, or had close contact with someone diagnosed.
What are the symptoms of hepatitis A?
Not everyone with hepatitis A will feel unwell. In fact, many children — and some adults — may have mild illness or no symptoms at all. However, those who do develop symptoms typically notice them around 2–4 weeks after exposure.
Symptoms can include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Joint pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal pain (especially near the liver)
- Dark urine
- Pale-coloured stool
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
In most people, these symptoms resolve completely over several weeks. Still, while you’re unwell, you’re also infectious. Getting a Hep A test can help reduce the spread and protect your community. Get tested today.
What happens if hepatitis A is left untreated?
Most people recover fully from acute infection with hepatitis A and gain lifelong immunity. Unlike other hepatitis virus types, hepatitis A does not cause chronic infection or long-term liver damage.
However, in rare cases — particularly in older adults or people with underlying health issues — hepatitis A can lead to acute liver failure (6). This complication is most often seen in individuals with pre-existing liver conditions or weakened immune systems.
That’s why a hepatitis A test is still essential — even if symptoms seem minor. It ensures proper diagnosis and helps avoid complications, especially in vulnerable groups. Book your test today.
How do you test for hepatitis A?
Wondering how you test for hepatitis A? The answer is simple: with a blood test.
At Stigma Health, we make it easy. You can order your antibody test online and get tested at one of over 10,000 pathology locations across Australia — no GP referral or awkward conversations required.
This antibody test looks for immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies, which are a marker of acute disease. If your test shows IgM antibodies, it means you’ve recently been infected and are still in the contagious stage.
If the test shows different antibodies (IgG), this indicates a previous infection or successful vaccination — and that you are now immune.
Note: While IgG antibodies indicate long-term protection, IgM antibodies are used to diagnose an active infection.
In some cases, your healthcare provider may also request liver function tests to assess how well your liver is working during the infection.
How is hepatitis A managed?
There’s currently no specific treatment for hepatitis A. Because it’s a viral infection, antibiotics won’t help. Instead, the goal is supportive care — rest, hydration, and symptom management.
Most people recover at home, but hospitalisation may be required in cases of severe illness or if symptoms worsen unexpectedly. During the recovery period, it’s essential to:
- Get plenty of rest
- Drink fluids and eat nourishing food
- Avoid alcohol or medications that affect the liver
- Avoid sexual activity for at least 7 days after jaundice appears (1)
If you work in a setting involving food, children, schools, or vulnerable people, you’ll be advised to stay home until your test results confirm you’re no longer infectious.
How can you prevent hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is highly contagious, but it’s also very preventable. Here’s how to reduce your risk:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap after using the toilet, changing nappies, or before handling food
- Avoid sharing towels, linen, or personal items with someone who has hepatitis A
- Use gloves when cleaning up bodily fluids or waste
- Drink bottled or purified water when travelling in areas with poor sanitation
- Avoid raw shellfish or undercooked food from high-risk areas
- Use barrier protection (dental dams, gloves, condoms) during sexual activity, particularly if there’s a risk of faecal-oral contact
Following these hygiene and behavioural steps, especially while travelling or engaging in sexual contact, can greatly reduce your chance of exposure.
What does the hepatitis A vaccine do?
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent hepatitis A infection. The hepatitis A vaccine offers near-100% protection after two doses and does not require boosters in most cases.
You can be vaccinated individually or as part of a combination vaccine that also protects against hepatitis B. The vaccine is especially recommended for:
- Travellers to high-risk areas
- People living with or caring for someone with hepatitis A
- Healthcare workers
- Sex workers
- People who use drugs
- Members of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- Men who have sex with men
Keep in mind: It may take up to 2–3 weeks to develop full immunity after the first dose, so get vaccinated ahead of time if you’re planning to travel.
Thanks to the national immunisation program, hepatitis A rates in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have dropped significantly (2).
The bottom line on hepatitis A
Hepatitis A may be the least severe of the hepatitis types — but it still matters. It spreads easily through contaminated food, water, and sexual activity, often before symptoms begin. Even if your risk seems low, understanding how to get tested for hepatitis A can help protect your health and those around you.
At Stigma Health, we’re here to remove the friction, the stigma, and the stress from STI testing. You can get a hepatitis A test discreetly, affordably, and on your schedule — with results delivered securely and without judgment. Get tested today.
References
- User, S., 2018. Hepatitis A – Australian STI Management Guidelines. [online] Sti.guidelines.org.au. Available at: <http://www.sti.guidelines.org.au/sexually-transmissible-infections/hepatitis-a> [Accessed 20 August 2020].
- 2020. [online] Available at: <https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/vaccine-preventable-diseases/hepatitis-a> [Accessed 20 August 2020].
- Hepatitis Australia. 2020. Hepatitis A. [online] Available at: <https://www.hepatitisaustralia.com/hepatitis-a> [Accessed 20 August 2020].
- Health.nsw.gov.au. 2019. [online] Available at: <https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Factsheets/hepatitis-a.pdf> [Accessed 20 August 2020].
- 2020. [online] Available at: <https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/hepatitis-a> [Accessed 20 August 2020].
- Information, H., Disease, L., (Viral), H., A, H., A, H., Center, T. and Health, N., 2019. Hepatitis A | NIDDK. [online] National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Available at: <https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/viral-hepatitis/hepatitis-a#complications> [Accessed 20 August 2020].
- Health.nsw.gov.au. 2019. Hepatitis A Fact Sheet – Fact Sheets. [online] Available at: <https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/hepatitis_a.aspx> [Accessed 20 August 2020].
FAQs about Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is another infection of the liver, but unlike hepatitis B and hepatitis C, most people recover completely. It’s usually transferred through contact with an infected person’s faeces — often via food or water — particularly in places where sanitation is poor. The good news? There’s a vaccine, and once you’ve had hepatitis A or been vaccinated, you can’t get it again.
Even though hepatitis A isn’t a long-term condition, the symptoms can still be draining — and while you’re infected, you can pass it on to others. If you already have liver damage or other underlying health conditions, the risks increase. Since a large percentage of cases don’t involve clear risk factors, your doctor may recommend testing as a precaution.
It’s simple and easy to diagnose hepatitis through a blood test. We’ll check for IgM antibodies to see if you’ve recently been infected. We’ll also look for IgG antibodies, which show you’ve either had the virus in the past or received the hepatitis A vaccine.
It usually clears up on its own with rest and fluids — like a bad flu. But knowing your status means you can manage your symptoms better and avoid spreading it to others.
Yes. While hepatitis A can be spread through contaminated food and water, it can also be transmitted through sexual activity, particularly oral-anal contact (also known as rimming). Using protection like dental dams and maintaining good hygiene can reduce the risk.
Not with Stigma Health. You can skip the GP visit and order your hepatitis A test online. Once your request is submitted, we’ll send you a pathology referral so you can visit any of our 10,000+ collection centres nationwide. It’s fast, convenient, and confidential.
Get tested today or contact our team for more information.
That’s totally okay — many people haven’t! With Stigma Health, we aim to make the process as simple and stress-free as possible. You just:
- Order your test online
- Visit your chosen pathology collection centre
- Provide a blood sample
- Receive your test results securely on your phone or via email
No awkward conversations, no waiting rooms, and no judgment. Get your test today.
If you get a positive result, don’t panic. Hepatitis A is a short-term infection, and most people recover fully with rest and hydration. We’ll support you with:
- Access to your test results
- Information about managing symptoms
- Guidance on when to return to work or resume sexual activity
- Advice on how to avoid spreading the virus to others
We can also provide a doctor’s follow-up if further support is needed.
