Hepatitis A

Fecal-oral route through contaminated food, water, or close personal contact with an infected person.

Symptoms

Fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine, jaundice. Usually self-limiting but can be severe in older adults.

Treatment

No specific treatment. Supportive care with rest and adequate nutrition. Most patients recover fully within weeks to months.

Endemic regions

Widespread in developing countries. Higher risk in areas with poor sanitation: Africa, Asia, Central/South America.

Prevention & prophylaxis

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Hepatitis A vaccine (Havrix / Vaqta)

2-dose series: initial dose ≥2 weeks before travel, second dose 6–12 months later for long-term protection (likely lifelong). Highly effective — nearly 100% after 2 doses. Safe for ages ≥1 year. Can be given as combination vaccine with Hepatitis B (Twinrix, 3-dose series).

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Food and water hygiene

Same precautions as typhoid: bottled/boiled water, cooked foods, avoid raw produce and ice. Hepatitis A is highly contagious — hand hygiene is critical, especially after using restrooms and before eating.