Hepatitis A (infectious hepatitis)

Infection

Hepatitis A (infectious hepatitis) Virus

The virus is found in the intestine and infects through water and food contaminated by sewage.

Vaccination

Vaccination or gamma globulin?

The vaccine protects for at least 25 years probably life long, and has few side effects.

Gamma globulin is obsolete.

The vaccine against heaptis A contains inactivated hepatitis A virus.

• One vaccination protects up to 1 year, and a second vaccination after 6 to 12 months protects for 25 years probably lifelong.
• Vaccination against hepatitis A can be combined with vaccination against hepatitis B. This requires 2 vaccinations with at least 4 weeks in between before there is protection against both infections.

Symptoms

Tiredness, jaundice and sometimes fever.

Diagnosis

Antibodies against hepatitis A can be found in a blood sample.

Treatment

Supportive only. No specific antiviral drugs available.

Prevention

Vaccination. Be careful with food and drink. See how to protect yourselves against diarrhoea and infection with hepatitis A.

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