About Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a liver infection that is transmitted when a person ingests food or drink contaminated with the stool of an infected person, known as fecal-oral transmission. Hepatitis A can also be transmitted through contact of blood or other bodily fluids. While rarely fatal, the results of Hepatitis A can be fairly debilitating and require weeks of recover. Before traveling to an area that has a high risk of hepatitis A, it is important to get a hepatitis A vaccine, courtesy of a travel clinic in NY.

A hepatitis A vaccine, available from any travel doctor in New York practicing travel medicine, will help to prevent transmission. While it is recommended, by a travel doctor in New York or anywhere else, to get a hepatitis A vaccine at least one month prior to travel, if you come into contact with the disease, a hepatitis A vaccination will be helpful for approximately two weeks after contact. The hepatitis A vaccine comes in two doses, and is usually good for 20 years.

Hepatitis B Symptoms and Treatment

Hepatitis A symptoms include, but are not limited to, fever, nausea, jaundice and loss of appetite. Though most people recover from hepatitis A over the course of a few weeks, ignoring any potential hepatitis A symptoms could be damaging to the body. The mortality rate for hepatitis A is incredibly low, with approximately 4 out of every 1000 cases ending in death. Treatment for hepatitis A is not very detailed; rest and a careful diet are necessary because lack of either will cause symptoms to be worse. Additionally, avoid any substances that would be toxic to the liver, including anything with acetaminophen and alcohol.

A travel doctor in New York will not only provide you with the hepatitis A vaccine; you will also be provided with further preventative information. There are very easy ways to prevent the spread of hepatitis A. Primarily, receive the hepatitis A vaccine. Beyond that, however, avoid food or water that is not clean, and always wash your hands after using the bathroom. Travelers need to take great care with the food and water they ingest, as sanitation in the country may not be up to par. Hepatitis A can be spread through bodily fluids, so washing thoroughly after contact is critical. For more tips, make an appointment at a travel clinic in NY!