The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted by direct or indirect contact with the feces of an infected person. Hepatitis is most often acquired through ingestion of raw or undercooked water, food (especially mollusks such as mussels and oysters), or fluids contaminated by the feces of an infected person. It can also be acquired during sexual relations. Asymptomatic people with hepatitis A can also transmit the infection.

It can take from 15 to 50 days (average 30 days) between the virus entering the body and the onset of symptoms. In young children, this infection is often asymptomatic, whereas 75% of infected adults will have symptoms: fever, anorexia, headache, jaundice. The risk of serious illness increases with age. Recovery is usually spontaneous. Between 0.1% and 0.3% of cases die.

The main preventive measures other than vaccination are :

• frequent hand washing, especially before handling food and after sexual relations;
• disinfection of stool-soiled objects;
• avoidance of food and water likely to be contaminated.

HBV is transmitted through the blood, semen or vaginal secretions of an infected person. You can contract this virus:

• during sexual relations with an infected person;
• through skin-to-skin contact with the blood of an infected person (e.g. needlesticks soiled with blood, sharing syringes, needles or razors);
• contact between a mucous membrane and the blood of an infected person (e.g. blood splashed into the eye, nose or mouth).

An infected pregnant woman can transmit the virus to her unborn child.

Travelers receiving injections or blood products in certain developing countries may be exposed to this virus.

It can take from 6 weeks to 6 months between the virus entering the body and the onset of symptoms: fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, jaundice. In almost half of those affected, the infection goes undetected. Most people heal spontaneously.

However, around 1 in 10 adults remain infected with the virus for varying periods of time. People with a chronic infection run the risk of developing chronic liver disease such as cirrhosis.

Infected people, whether symptomatic or not, are contagious for several weeks. Once the infection has disappeared, they can no longer transmit the disease. On the other hand, people with chronic infections can transmit the disease.

The main preventive measures other than vaccination are :

• the practice of basic hygiene measures, such as not sharing personal items (razors, toothbrushes) and washing hands when they are soiled with blood;
• adopting safer sexual behavior, such as reducing the number of sexual partners and using condoms during intercourse;
• non-sharing of needles and syringes.

DIN: 02230578 (adult dose)
DIN: 02237548 (junior dose)