Hepatitis A is transmitted through contaminated food and water, or through saliva, and thrives in conditions of poor hygiene. It can lay a victim low for several months with exhaustion, fever and diarrhoea, and can even cause liver damage.
The Havrix vaccines have been shown to be extremely effective; though expensive (around US$150/£100 for a course of two shots), if you have a second shot within a year, protection lasts for ten years. Gamma globulin vaccines are no longer used as they are blood products and there are concerns with regard to the transmission of new variant CJD.
Symptoms by which you can recognize hepatitis include a yellowing of the whites of the eyes, general malaise, orange urine (though dehydration can also cause this) and light-coloured stools.
If you think you have it, avoid alcohol, try to avoid passing it on, and get lots of rest. It's a good idea to go to a pathology lab (most towns have them) to get blood tests before seeing a doctor, who should then be consulted in order to monitor your recovery. More serious is hepatitis B, which is extremely contagious and passed on like AIDS through blood or sexual contact.
Doctors advise hepatitis B vaccinations for people going on trips of over eight weeks and they are vital if you're planning to work in a medical setting or with children. Ideally three doses are given over six months but if time is short, there are other options which take one-two months with a booster given after a year.
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