Symptoms include fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, dark urine, jaundice, vomiting, aches and pains, and light stools. No specific therapy, only supportive care, is available. Risk Travelers are at high risk for Hepatitis A, especially if travel plans include visiting rural areas and extensive travel in the countryside, frequent close contact with local persons, or eating in settings of poor sanitation. The virus is inactivated by boiling or cooking to 85 degrees centigrade for one minute, therefore eating thoroughly cooked foods and drinking only treated water serve as general precautions. Hepatitis A vaccine is preferred for persons who plan to travel repeatedly or reside for long periods of time in intermediate or high risk areas.
Immune globulin is recommended for persons of all ages who desire only short term protection.
Prevaccination testing is not indicated for children because of their expected low prevalence of prior HAV infection. Travelers should note that reparations manufactured in foreign countries may or may not meet these requirements. Persons needing repeat doses in other countries should use products that meet U.S. license requirements. Recommendations CDC recommends hepatitis A vaccine or IG for protection against hepatitis A. Hepatitis A vaccine is available in both pediatric and adult formulations with different dosages and schedules. Your health care provider should be consulted for correct dosage and scheduling.