Condoms may reduce the risk of transmission of hepatitis A during anal sex, but thorough hand washing after removing condoms is necessary as hands and fingers may be contaminated. Incubation period is 15 to 50 days, commonly about 4 weeks. Patients are infectious for about 2 weeks before and 1 week after the onset of jaundice, or during peak transaminase activity in anicteric cases. Most cases are not infectious after the first week of jaundice. Hepatitis A is notifiable in Queensland.
Notifications vary from year to year.
In 1998 there were 1042 notifications, many of these related to a mini-epidemic of hepatitis A among men who have sex with men along the eastern coast of Australia. In 1999 there were 409 notifications. Lasts 1 to 3 weeks but can persist for 12 or more weeks. This phase usually not associated with fever. It is unlikely to give any protection beyond 2 weeks after exposure.