Hepatitis A is a viral infection that can cause symptoms like fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and jaundice. There are vaccines available for hepatitis A and B to help prevent infection. Hepatitis A is often spread through contaminated food or water, so it’s important to practice good hygiene and avoid places with poor sanitation where you could come into contact with the virus.
Be Careful About What You Eat And Drink
Avoid raw and undercooked foods, particularly those that may have come into contact with the stool of someone who has hepatitis A. Wash your hands before handling food, says Dr. Rachel Oliver. Clean all surfaces that come into contact with food, especially if you are preparing a meal for someone else.
Refrigerate leftovers as soon as possible and cook eggs thoroughly (until yolk is firm) to kill any virus in them. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them; don’t eat ice cubes from restaurants or other establishments where there is a risk of contamination from others’ hands or utensils
Wash Your Hands Often
Washing your hands with soap and warm water is one of the best ways to prevent hepatitis A. Wash your hands:
• After using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before eating or preparing food (e.g., cutting up fruit).
• After touching animals or their feces.
• After touching garbage (e.g., picking up a piece of trash off the ground).
Get Vaccinated
The best way to prevent hepatitis A is through vaccination. If you live in a high-risk area or work with people at high risk for hepatitis A, Dr. Rachel Oliver talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated. The CDC recommends that all adults get the two-dose series of the hepatitis A vaccine.
For those who travel frequently (such as international business travelers), it’s recommended that you get the vaccine before leaving home and then again 6 months after returning.
