Use this page to access key information about Hepatitis A and the Hepatitis A virus.
- Find generic information about Hep A, its causes and where it’s commonly found.
- Gleam more specific information about Hepatitis A treatment with a full and comprehensive guide to the effects of Hepatitis A
- Also find information in regards to Hepatitis A symptoms and warning signs.
- What causes Hepatits? What can be done to prevent it? Find the answers in our full break-down of the illness.
- Click here for information on the Hep A Vaccine
Hepatitis A
What is it?
Hepatitis A is the most common of all the diseases preventable by vaccination. It is caused by a virus and results in severe inflammation of the liver.
Risk of infection is highest in developing countries, where the most common source of infection is contaminated food. Travellers can catch the disease at hotels, but travel to rural locations or prolonged contact with locals poses a particular risk.
The virus is often found in untreated sewage and can be concentrated up in the flesh of marine animals such as shell fish and crustaceans that feed on the sea bed.
What does it do(effects of Hepatitis A)?
In the young there are often no Hepatitis A symptoms, but the older you get the more serious it becomes, killing 2% of those over 50 who contract it. After a long incubation period of 28 days, patients develop fever and nausea, and go off their food. Later on, jaundice develops. It takes a month or longer to recover and the patient is contagious until jaundice appears.
Where is it ?
Hepatitis A is found in most developing countries.
Can Hep A be treated?
There is no specific Hepatitis A treatment – just supportive care.
Can it be prevented?
Vaccination is extremely effective and protection lasts at least 25 years.
Sensible precautions over food and drinking water will also help to avoid the disease.
Danger rating: 4/10
