What You Need to Know to Prevent Hepatitis A Infection

More Consumer Health Guides Articles

What You Need to Know to Prevent Hepatitis A Infection

Hepatitis A is among the preventable infectious diseases. However, it still appears in areas with poor sanitation and low vaccination rates. The virus is easily transmitted and can disable a healthy person for a few weeks, being dangerous to certain risk groups. Fortunately, a vaccine has been available for years, and appropriate hygiene measures can significantly reduce the risk of infection.

Key Takeaways

What Hepatitis A Is and How It Spreads

Hepatitis is the term used to indicate the inflammation of the liver, and the type of hepatitis is determined by the cause. Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus, a member of the Picornaviridae, and differs from hepatitis B and C in that it does not lead to chronic infection. After acute disease occurs, most patients return to having normal liver function and develop lifelong immunity.

Infection occurs through the faecal-oral route, which means the virus is transmitted when food and/or beverages become contaminated with faeces of an infected person. Faecal contamination can occur through improper hygienic practices by food handlers, eating raw or undercooked shellfish that were caught in contaminated water, drinking non-treated water, eating unwashed raw vegetables, and close personal contact with an infected person.

Infected persons tend to transmit hepatitis A in households and other institutions. Outbreaks happen very frequently in places where sanitation is poor, in daycare centres, and among travellers to endemic areas.

Recognising the Symptoms

The incubation period ranges from two to seven weeks, meaning a person can be infected for weeks before feeling unwell.

Hepatitis symptoms typically include:

• Sudden onset of fever and fatigue
• Loss of appetite and nausea
• Abdominal discomfort, mainly  in the upper right side where the liver sits
• Dark urine and pale-coloured stools
• Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, known as jaundice
• Itching in some cases as bile salts accumulate in the skin

In children under six years of age, the infection is often entirely symptom-free, which means they can unknowingly spread the virus to adults around them.

Why Antibiotics Are Not the Answer

One common misconception about liver infections is that they can be treated with antibiotics (antibacterial medicines). Hepatitis A is caused by a virus, and not bacteria, which means that antibiotics are ineffective for the treatment of this infection. There is no specific antiviral treatment for hepatitis A. Management is supportive and involves ensuring rest, hydration, adequate nutritional support, and avoidance of alcohol and medications that would add strain on the liver. Most individuals recover after four to eight weeks; however, in some cases, the disease course may be prolonged for several months.

Prevention Through Vaccination

Hepatitis A vaccination is the best and most efficient method available. Once the vaccine is given, the body produces antibodies that provide protection against the virus mentioned.

Havrix 720 is one of the most commonly used vaccines and is inactivated. Each dose contains 720 ELISA units of the vaccine and is approved for use in children over 1 year of age. It is administered as a two-dose vaccine, where the second dose is administered after a period of six to twelve months after the first dose. Once both doses are completed, the patient will be immune to hepatitis A for more than 20 years.

A more concentrated vaccine can be given to adults, administered as an injection into the deltoid muscle.

Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for children, travellers to places known to have hepatitis A, food handlers, and people working in healthcare and sanitation, those with liver diseases, and those living in outbreak areas.

Hygiene Practices That Reduce Exposure Risk

Even for vaccinated individuals, hygiene habits matter, particularly in high-risk environments. Practical measures include:

• Washing hands thoroughly with soap and running water after using the toilet, changing nappies, and before preparing or eating food
• Drinking only boiled, bottled, or treated water when travelling in regions with unreliable water safety
• Avoiding raw shellfish such as oysters and clams, which filter large volumes of water and can concentrate the virus
• Eating only thoroughly cooked food and freshly prepared meals from reliable sources while travelling
• Peeling fruits and vegetables rather than eating the skin when in regions with uncertain agricultural hygiene

Who Is at Highest Risk and Why

Certain groups face a significantly higher risk of both contracting hepatitis A and experiencing severe illness if they do:

• Travellers to South Asia, Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of Central and South America, where the infection is endemic
• People who inject medications, where shared equipment and close-contact living conditions facilitate transmission
• People experiencing homelessness, particularly during outbreaks linked to sanitation challenges
• Individuals with pre-existing chronic liver conditions, including hepatitis B or C, fatty liver disease, or cirrhosis
• Immunocompromised individuals whose immune systems may not control the infection effectively

Emotional and Mental Health During Recovery

Although the diagnosis of hepatitis A may be traumatic, it is usually reassuring to know that recovery will follow. The illness has a defined duration during which recovery will lead to both time off work and disturbance of family routines, not to mention the anxiety over when a person’s energy will finally come back. Adjusting expectations regarding recovery time, maintaining communication with the treating physician, and acknowledging the need for rest rather than trying to power through the illness are effective ways to manage the illness without added strain.

Importance of Follow-Up Care

Most people with hepatitis A tend to receive treatment at home and do not get hospitalised. However, appropriate follow-up blood tests are recommended to monitor the restoration of liver enzymes, especially for seniors or anyone with pre-existing liver conditions. If there are signs of severe jaundice, belly pain, confusion or inability to eat and drink, it is important to seek medical help right away.

What Is Worth Remembering

It is possible to prevent hepatitis A. Receiving two doses of the vaccine within a year provides decades of protection. Handwashing and safe food-handling practices provide additional defence and protection against other diseases. It is especially important for people who have not been vaccinated and are planning to travel to places where hepatitis A is prevalent to get vaccinated at least two weeks in advance, as this will allow the body to build immunity against the virus.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for vaccination guidance, diagnosis, and treatment specific to your condition.