Hepatitis A
What is hepatitis A?
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis A is a virus that attacks the liver. It is common in developing countries and is one of the most common vaccine-preventable illnesses in travellers. Only a blood test can confirm the presence of the virus.
How is it spread?
The virus is found in the stool (feces) of an infected person. It can be spread through food and water, and is most common in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene. The virus can also be spread through uncooked shellfish, fruit, and vegetables which are contaminated or prepared by an infected person with unsafe food handling practices. Caregivers who do not practice proper hand hygiene when in contact with stool (changing diapers or cleaning up after an infected individual) may also be exposed. Less commonly, it can be transmitted through sexual contact and sharing recreational drug equipment.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms may take from 15 to 50 days to appear, and may last from two weeks to several months. Severity increases with age; children may not show symptoms. Hepatitis A symptoms include:
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach cramps
- Fatigue
- Dark urine
- Grey-coloured stool
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
There is no treatment for hepatitis A. Recovery can take weeks to months, but most people recover without side effects. Those with chronic or long-term liver disease are at particular risk for rare and serious complications such as liver damage, liver failure or death.
Who is at risk?
The risk of hepatitis A is highest among travellers, particularly in Africa, Asia, and Central and South America. Eating and drinking in locations with poor sanitation, unsafe food handling, and travelling in remote locations can increase risk. Travel to urban areas, luxury resorts, and hotels still carries a risk, so it is important to consult a health care provider at least six weeks before travelling. People who live with a person infected with hepatitis A, who have sexual contact with an infected person or who have clotting disorders should also speak with their health care provider about their level of risk.
How to protect yourself
- Wash your hands frequently or use alcohol-based sanitizer regularly.
- Discuss the benefits of vaccination with a health care provider at least six weeks before travelling. Vaccines are available as hepatitis A only (AVAXIM or HAVRIX), a combination of hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine (TWINRIX), or as a combination of hepatitis A and typhoid vaccine (VIVAXIM).
Note that no vaccine provides 100 percent protection against disease; speak with your health care provider about how to decrease your risk of exposure to preventable illnesses.
- Monitor your health during and after travelling, and seek care if you develop symptoms.
For more information, contact KFL&A Public Health at 613-549-1232 or 1-800-267-7875.
Revised: 2014-07-16