Hepatitis A can be prevented by vaccination, practising good personal hygiene and safe sex. If you have been infected, you should stay home to prevent passing the virus to another person.
How can hepatitis A be prevented?
If you are travelling overseas to countries where the virus is common, vaccination may be recommended before you travel. Travellers are advised to visit their general practitioner or travel medicine specialist 6-12 weeks before travelling overseas to discuss suitable vaccination options.
If you are travelling overseas to areas where hepatitis A is common, then some extra safety practises (in addition to vaccination) should be undertaken, including:
- Only drinking from safe water supplies, including bottled water.
- Avoiding uncooked food, including raw vegetables and fruit (unless it can be peeled).
- Avoiding shellfish.
- Avoiding unpackaged drinks.
- Avoiding ice in drinks or food.
- Avoiding food you cannot peel or boil.
Sources & Citations
5. Victoria State Government. Better Health Channel. Hepatitis A. Available at: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/hepatitis-a?viewAsPdf=true (accessed 16 November 2021).
MAT-AU-2102452 Date of preparation December 2021
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