How to protect yourself from contracting Hepatitis A while abroad?

Over the last few years, the number of people getting infected with hepatitis A in the United States has dropped tremendously by 95%. All thanks to the Hepatitis A vaccine. However, it is still a common illness in other developing countries.

If you’re planning a trip to any developing countries, prepare your to-do-checklist few months before boarding. This involves booking tickets and hotel, carrying travel essentials, and considering health risks associated with the place you’re traveling to.

Being in a developing country, you’ll become susceptible in contracting hepatitis A. It is a viral infection that usually affects liver with mild to severe symptoms, and even death in some cases. Hepatitis A is transferred through the ingestion of contaminated water and food. Therefore, to keep yourself protected from Hepatitis A, it is important to get the right vaccine a few weeks before your travel.

Your risk of developing hepatitis A

Although you can contract hepatitis A virus in the United States, the risk is more in the developing countries. Especially the countries lacking quality sanitary conditions. Did you know nearly 90% of children under 10 years have been infected with hepatitis A in developing countries?

The common symptoms of hepatitis A include:

• Fever
  
• Loss of appetite
  
• Nausea
  
• Diarrhea
  
• Dark-colored urine
  
• Abdominal discomfort
  
• And jaundice
  

The incubation period for these symptoms to develop is usually between 14 and 28 days. Once you contract hepatitis A, there is no specific treatment for the illness. Thus, getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself from hepatitis A.

Tips to avoid and stay safe from hepatitis A

While hepatitis A virus is life-threatening, most people can recover from the illness with a lifetime immunity. However, there are various precautionary measures that will help you stay out of harm. 

If you are abroad, especially in one of the developing countries, make sure you drink clean water and food. Plus, having knowledge about food safety is the simplest way to reduce the risk. Washing your hands before eating and after going to the toilet as well as getting vaccinated are another important effective measure.

Hepatitis A vaccine is a proven way to protect yourself from contracting HAV. Almost 100% of people who get the vaccine develop protective preventive agents to the HAV - hepatitis A virus. According to health experts, each person traveling to a developing country must be injected with two shots of vaccine with a gap of six months for long-lasting protection. 

When it comes to hepatitis A vaccines, they were introduced to the United States in the year, 1996. And since then, the United States has encountered reduced number of hepatitis A cases. 

Apart from the United States, there are many nations that encounter fewer cases of hepatitis A virus. As per the centers for disease control and prevention, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Scandinavia, and Western Europe are among the safest regions for hepatitis. 

If you’re traveling to any foreign countries, make sure you get all the information about the region, such as the weather conditions, common diseases, and outbreaks. And accordingly get yourself vaccinated to have a safe and disease-free trip.