Hepatitis
This page provides information and advice about Hepatitis, which is the inflammation of the liver.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. There are a number of viruses which cause hepatitis.
The most common ones are Hepatitis A and B.
The main differences between these viruses are how they are transmitted and the effects they have on health.
Most people recover from Hepatitis A with no lasting liver damage, but Hepatitis B can cause long-term liver disease.
Symptoms and incubation
Incubation period (time between exposure to virus and symptoms of illness): 15 - 50 days (28 - 30 days average)
Symptoms of illness: Fever, malaise, lack of appetite, nausea and abdominal discomfort, usually followed by jaundice.
How is it spread?
You can be infected:
- in any country where hygiene and sewerage standards are poor
- from eating raw or inadequately cooked shellfish and food prepared by an infected person with poor personal hygiene
- from salads and fruit washed in contaminated water
- from activities involving close mouth contact
- by poor hygiene practices involved in group injecting drug use.
You can protect yourself:
- by being vaccinated against Hepatitis A before visiting all countries where sanitation is poor, particularly Southern and Eastern Europe, Africa, Middle and Far East. See the travellers Guide to health available from the Post Office
- by being vaccinated if you work in a high risk occupation, such as sewage treatment
- by avoiding inadequately cooked shellfish, raw salads, fruit, tap water, ice cubes and unpasteurised milk in high risk countries
- by vaccination if personal practices might put you at risk.
Can I still work, playgroup or a childminder?
As hepatitis A is infectious, personal hygiene must be scrupulous and food handling must be avoided. Foodhandlers must not return to work and children should be kept out of playgroups and childminders until two stool samples (48 hours apart) have been produced with no virus in them.
Environmental Health will advise when it is safe to return.
For further information, contact the council, or in case of continuing illness, consult your family doctor.
Contact
Email: food.safety@reigate-banstead.gov.uk
Tel: 01737 276417.
Last updated : 15/05/2009
