Hepatitis A

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Digestive system

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Hepatitis A

Erythema multiforme, circular lesions - hands

Digestive system organs

Hepatitis A

Alternative Names:

Viral hepatitis
Prevention:

Transmission of the virus can be reduced by avoiding unclean food and water, thorough hand-washing after using the restroom, and thorough cleansing if there is any contact with an affected person's blood, feces, or any other bodily fluid.

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Daycare facilities and other institutions involving close contact with people may be more susceptible to rapid transmission of hepatitis A. Thorough hand-washing and good hygenic practices before and after each diaper change, before serving food, and after using the restroom may help prevent institutional outbreaks.

Immune globulin should be given to people in close contact with people with hepatitis A.

Vaccines that protect against hepatitis A infection are available. The HAV vaccine begins to protect 4 weeks after receiving the initial dose, the 6- to 12-month booster is required for long-term protection.

People who should consider vaccination include:

Those traveling to areas or countries with high levels of hepatitis A (those who travel to high-risk areas less than 4 weeks after receiving the initial vaccine may need to receive another preventive medication called immune serum globulin, which is given at the same time as the vaccine but injected at a different site)
Those who engage in anal sex
Intravenous drug users
Those with chronic hepatitis B or C infection