Aims and intended learning outcomes The aim of this article is to discuss the general characteristics of the hepatitis A virus (HAV), disease, transmission, epidemiology and control methods. After reading this article you should be able to: ■Describe the general characteristics of the hepatitis A virus ■Describe the routes of transmission ■Describe the disease process ■Compare the global incidence of hepatitis A with the incidence in England and Wales ■Describe control methods for an outbreak of hepatitis A in the community ■Understand the rationale for using hepatitis A vaccination and the use of human normal immunoglobulin (HNIG). ■Discuss the role of the primary health care team in managing cases of hepatitis A in the community.