Hepatitis A: what is it, how dangerous is it, how do you get it, and should you vaccinate?

What is hepatitis A?

• Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus.
• The virus enters the body through the throat after eating or drinking contaminated food and infects the stomach, intestines, and liver.
• In some cases, the disease is life-threatening; it usually resolves on its own.

Where does hepatitis A occur?

• Hepatitis A occurs worldwide, but mainly in developing regions such as Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
• The risk of infection in North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Western Europe is minimal.
• The disease frequently occurs in poor hygienic conditions. Undercooked or raw shellfish are relatively common sources of infection
• Because it is a highly contagious disease, hepatitis A often occurs in areas where people live in close proximity.
• The risk increases if you have frequent contact with the local population.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis A?

• The virus responsible for hepatitis A ultimately causes inflammation of the liver.
• Symptoms can appear two to six weeks after infection with the virus.
• When the disease follows a typical course, fatigue and nausea often occur initially. This can then be followed by fever, abdominal pain (often in the upper right side), and a significant decrease in appetite. In the following period, the whites of the eyes may appear yellow (jaundice). In addition, urine often becomes darker and stools lighter.
• Although the symptoms often subside after a few weeks, fatigue can often persist for a long time.
• A hepatitis infection very often causes symptoms in adults (80-90% of cases). However, in infants and toddlers, the infection is often inconspicuous.
• The older you get, the more severe the symptoms become. Especially in people over 50, there is a small chance that the disease can become life-threatening.

Can hepatitis A be treated?

• A hepatitis A infection almost always resolves on its own.
• Therefore, there are no medications that accelerate the healing process.
• The most important remedy for the symptoms is rest. The body needs time to recover properly.
• It's also important to realize that you are infectious to those around you for up to one week after the onset of jaundice. Therefore, avoiding public places at that time is recommended.

Are there vaccinations against hepatitis A?

• A vaccine against hepatitis A has been developed that, depending on the brand, protects you against hepatitis A for one or three years.
• It is recommended to get vaccinated at least two weeks before traveling.
• If you get another vaccination within six to twelve months after the first vaccination, it has been shown that you will even be protected for 25 years.

What can you do to prevent hepatitis A abroad?

• Because the hepatitis A virus is often spread in areas with poor hygiene, it is important to pay attention to personal hygiene.
• Some advice therefore includes: washing hands, avoiding contaminated drinking and swimming water, and being careful when preparing food (washing and cooking).