Hepatitis A

Causes & Risk Factors

Hepatitis A is transmitted through the fecal-oral route, typically via contaminated food or water:

•  Consumption of food or water contaminated with the virus.

•  Poor sanitation and hygiene conditions.

•  Travel to areas with higher hepatitis A prevalence and different sanitation standards.

•  Close contact with an infected person, particularly in household settings.

•  Lack of vaccination — hepatitis A vaccination provides effective protection.

Symptoms & When to Test

Hepatitis A symptoms typically develop after an incubation period and can range from mild to more pronounced acute illness.

•  Fever

•  Loss of appetite

•  Nausea or vomiting

•  Fatigue

•  Abdominal discomfort

•  Dark urine

•  Jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)

When Should You Consider Testing?

Testing is appropriate for symptoms suggestive of acute hepatitis, particularly with relevant exposure history (contaminated food/water, travel, or contact with an infected person).

Why Tests Are Combined

Anti-HAV IgM specifically helps identify recent or acute infection, since IgM antibodies rise early in the illness and are the key marker for diagnosing a current episode.

Anti-HAV IgG or total antibody may be used to assess previous exposure or immunity, which is a different clinical question than diagnosing a current acute infection — this distinction matters for interpreting results correctly.

Liver function tests (ALT/AST, bilirubin, ALP/GGT) assess the degree of liver involvement during acute infection, helping gauge illness severity alongside the diagnostic antibody testing.

Tests Available at NPL

Preparation requirements vary by specific test — please follow the instructions provided by your doctor or NPL for the tests ordered.

Home Sample Collection

NPL offers convenient home sample collection for Hepatitis A blood tests, so you don't need to visit a lab in person.

→ Book your test online, via the NPL app, or by calling +977 1 5970147 and select a convenient time slot for home sample collection.

→ A certified and experienced NPL phlebotomist visits your home at the scheduled time, following strict hygiene and safety protocols.

→ Your sample is transported under controlled, monitored conditions to NPL's NABL ACCREDITED UNDER ISO 15189:2022 laboratory for processing.

→ Your digital report is delivered securely to your phone or email, along with access to download and share it as needed.

When to See a Doctor

•  Fever with nausea, fatigue, and abdominal discomfort

•  Dark urine or jaundice

•  Relevant exposure history (contaminated food/water, travel, close contact with infected person)

•  Symptoms of acute hepatitis when other common causes have not yet been considered