Hepatitis A is an extremely contagious virus that results in liver inflammation. The virus is normally acquired through food or water that has been contaminated by human faeces or by contact with an infected person. Although Hepatitis A is uncommon in the UK, most cases occur in travellers who had recently visited countries where the infection is common.

Regions with high rates of transmission include low-income countries. These countries have poor sanitary conditions and hygiene practices. These places include the Indian subcontinent, Sub- Saharan and North Africa, parts of the Far East, South and Central America, and the Middle East.

Some travellers are more vulnerable to getting hepatitis A. They include:

– those who are living with or visiting the local residents

– frequent and/or travellers planning to stay for a longer duration  in areas where food hygiene and sanitation may be poor

– those with existing pre-existing health conditions for example liver disease or haemophilia

– gay men

– recreational drug users who use injections

– those working in high-risk areas

– individuals going to places where there is a history of hepatitis A outbreaks and have little access to safe drinking water and medical care

– young children may be asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, however, the infection gets more fatal with advancing age. Recovery can take weeks or months. After contracting the infection, one develops lifelong immunity against the disease. Possible symptoms of Hepatitis A are:

– weakness

– lack of appetite

– fatigue

– headache

– diarrhoea

– fever

– nausea

– vomiting

– dehydration

– Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin) normally happens approximately a week later.

Prevention

The most common way of transmission in travellers is consuming contaminated food or water. The risk of getting hepatitis A can be lowered by observing good personal hygiene and following the instructions on the prevention of food and water-borne diseases.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There are a number of effective inactivated hepatitis A vaccines. The vaccines are accessible to anyone planning to travel to areas where hepatitis A is prevalent. Some of these vaccines have a combination of either hepatitis B or typhoid vaccines.

Duration Of Protection

The length of protection acquired after completing a full course of hepatitis A vaccine may be expected to be at least 25 years and probably lifelong. However, Public Health England recommends that until there is the availability of more evidence on the persistence of protective immunity, a booster dose at 25 years is needed for those in high-risk areas. Detailed information should be provided to people with altered immune responses, an advanced booster dose may be recommended.