Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A, is an infection of the liver caused by a virus. It is usually spread by food, water, shellfish contaminated with sewage. People who prepare food can also spread the disease if they are infected with the virus and don't wash their hands properly. It is the most common serious health problem in travellers for which there is a vaccine. Symptoms of hepatitis A may include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and jaundice (yellow eyes). The disease can range from a mild illness lasting 1–2 weeks to a more severe illness lasting several months. Up to 2% of cases in older adults are severe enough to cause death.

Although Hepatitis A occurs worldwide, it is most common in developing countries due to poor sanitary conditions. In countries where sanitary conditions are poor, most people will be immune to hepatitis A from having the disease in childhood. Most children who get hepatitis A have very mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. They are an important cause of spread of the disease to adults. One bout of hepatitis A disease will provide lifelong immunity.

Hepatitis A vaccine gives a very high level of protection, and is very strongly recommended for travellers going to countries outside the "developed" or Western world.

Hepatitis E

Hepatitis E, another much less common liver virus, is spread the same way as hepatitis A. It is found in developing countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and North America (Mexico). Hepatitis E causes severe disease in pregnant women. There is no vaccine for hepatitis E.