Hepatitis A is an infectious virus that affects theliver.  It is found in the feces ofan infected person.Once the virus enters the body,it can takebetween 15 to 50 days for symptoms to appear.There is no treatment,but individuals usuallyrecover within 4 to 6 weeks. Recovery from Hepatitis A infection provides lifelong immunity.

What are the symptoms of Hepatitis A?

• Fatigue
• Abdominal pain
• Loss ofappetite
• Nausea
• Fever
• Jaundice (yellowing ofthe skin & whites ofeyes)

How is Hepatitis A spread?

Hepatitis A is found in the feces of an infected person and is spread person to person by the fecal-oral route. 

• Oral-fecal contact with an infected sexual partner
• Ingestion of food contaminated with the virus by infected food handlers is a common mode of transmissionIngestion ofwater contaminated with the Hepatitis A virus

Prevention

•  Practice good hand washing
•  Get immunized against Hepatitis A ifyou are at risk of getting Hepatitis A.

Injection drug users and men having sex with men are athigher risk for Hepatitis A.

Vaccine

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care recently introduced the Hepatitis A vaccination program for high-risk individuals. Vaccine will be distributed to physicians through their local Health Unit. As well, the Sexual Health Clinic at the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit will offer Hepatitis A vaccine to eligible individuals. Those eligible for the publicly funded vaccine are:

• Men who have sex with men
• Intravenous drug users
• Persons with chronic liver disease including hepatitis B and C carriers
• Household and sexual contacts of acute cases of Hepatitis A

The free vaccine is not available for travelers or other groups.

If you have any questions or require further information regarding this program, please contact the Health Unit at: 519-258-2146 ext. 3220.

Download:

Hepatitis A Vaccine Pamphlet