What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV) (1), typically spreads through contaminated food or water, or close contact with someone infected with the virus. (2)
In Singapore, historically, most reported cases of Hepatitis A stemmed from consuming contaminated raw or undercooked shellfish (3).
Due to improved sanitation and food safety measures, the incidence of Hepatitis A in Singapore has significantly declined. However, it’s still crucial to be aware of the risks, especially for travelers visiting regions with high HAV prevalence (4).
Symptoms of Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A symptoms may not always appear, especially in children. However, when present, they can include (5):
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Fever
- Dark-colored urine
- Pale stools
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
Preventing Hepatitis A with Immunisation
The best defense against Hepatitis A infection is vaccination. There are two main types of hepatitis A vaccines:
- Single-antigen vaccine: Protects solely against hepatitis A.
- Combination vaccine: Protects against both hepatitis A and hepatitis B, typically recommended for adults 18 years and older (6).
Protecting Yourself
Beyond vaccination, practicing good hygiene is essential to prevent Hepatitis A infection. This includes (7):
- Thorough hand washing with soap and water after using the toilet and before preparing food
- Drinking only treated or boiled water, particularly when traveling to regions with high HAV prevalence
- Consuming thoroughly cooked food, especially shellfish
- Avoiding close contact with individuals infected with Hepatitis A
By understanding the symptoms and importance of vaccination and good hygiene practices, you can effectively protect yourself from Hepatitis A. Talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated and discuss any concerns you might have.
References
- NCI Thesaurus. (n.d.). Ncit.nci.nih.gov. Retrieved June 18, 2024, from https://ncit.nci.nih.gov/ncitbrowser/ConceptReport.jsp?dictionary=NCI_Thesaurus&ns=ncit&code=C3096
- Fiore, Anthony E. (2004). Hepatitis A Transmitted by Food. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 38(5), 705–715. https://doi.org/10.1086/381671
- Goh, K. T., Doraisingham, S., Monteiro, E. H., & Ling, A. E. (1987). Acute hepatitis A in Singapore: importance of shellfish ingestion in a non-epidemic period. Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore, 16(4), 591–594.
- Cao, G., Jing, W., Liu, J., & Liu, M. (2021). The global trends and regional differences in incidence and mortality of hepatitis A from 1990 to 2019 and implications for its prevention. Hepatology International, 15(5), 1068–1082. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12072-021-10232-4
- World Health Organization. (2023, July 20). Hepatitis A. Who.int; World Health Organization: WHO. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-a
- (2024, May 6). Hepatitis A Vaccine. Hepatitis A. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis-a/vaccination/index.html
- Services, D. of H. & H. (n.d.). Hepatitis A. Www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/node/1313
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