Hepatitis A

What you need to know about Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver caused by the Hepatitis A virus. It is caught through contaminated food and water or through person-to-person contact if personal hygiene is poor.

It causes a range of issues including jaundice, nausea, fatigue and fever and can last from a few weeks to a few months. There is no cure for Hepatitis A so treatment is usually supportive.

High-risk areas

High-risk areas for Hepatitis A include:

• Africa
• Central America
• Eastern Europe
• The Far East
• India
• South America

Signs and symptoms

• Mild fever
• Gastro-intestinal upset
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhoea and abdominal pain
• Jaundice may also occur

The vaccine

A single injection of the vaccine should be given two weeks before you leave, although it can be given up to the day of your departure if necessary.

This will protect you against Hepatitis A for about a year. A booster dose, given 6–12 months after the first dose, will protect you for at least 20 years.

A combined Hepatitis A and B vaccine, and a combined Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccine are also available.

These vaccines may be useful if you require protection against both diseases.

Our travel specialist can recommend the most suitable option for you based on your specific health requirements, itinerary, past vaccination history and time to travel.

The Hepatitis A vaccine is suitable for all ages above one year. Women that are pregnant or breast feeding should speak to our travel specialist for advice about the suitability of this vaccine.

Hepatitis A vaccine is an inactivated (killed) vaccine. You will need 2 doses for long-lasting protection. These doses should be given at least 6 months apart.

Children are routinely vaccinated between their first and second birthdays (12 through 23 months of age).  Older children and adolescents can get the vaccine after 23 months. Adults who have not been vaccinated previously and want to be protected against hepatitis A can also get the vaccine.

You should get hepatitis A vaccine if you:

• are traveling to countries where hepatitis A is common,
• are a man who has sex with other men,
• use illegal drugs,
• have a chronic liver disease such as hepatitis B or hepatitis C,
• are being treated with clotting-factor concentrates,
• work with hepatitis A-infected animals or in a hepatitis A research laboratory, or
• expect to have close personal contact with an international adoptee from a country where hepatitis A is common

Ask your healthcare provider if you want more information about any of these groups.

There are no known risks to getting hepatitis A vaccine at the same time as other vaccines.