About the disease

This is a virus usually transmitted via contaminated water. Most cases imported into Britain come from the Indian Subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal).

Symptoms

The incubation period is 3 to 6 weeks. You may get a mild fever and stomach upset with diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting. Itching and jaundice (yellow discoloration of the skin and eyeballs) can follow . The jaundice lasts for 7 to 10 days and most people recover with no subsequent problems.
Obviously, visit your doctor ASAP if you develop these symptoms. There is no specific treatment, but the diagnosis needs to be confirmed.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

Active vaccination is very effective and can be given to children as young as one year old. A booster dose is necessary for long term immunity.

• Adult dose 1ml into the upper arm
• Child dose ( 1 yr to 15 yrs) 0.5ml into upper arm - using separate child vaccine.
• Protection can usually be relied upon after 2 weeks.
• Protection lasts a year or so after one jab. A booster is due up from 6 to 12 months later.
• Immunity is up to 10 years after a booster dose.

• Pregnancy & Breast feeding.

• Usually mild - some local swelling or discomfort. Sometimes, a temperature can develop and you can feel a bit unwell for a day or two. Let us know if you have ever had a reaction to vaccination or if you are allergic to anything.