Hepatitis A

What is Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is contracted by eating food or drinking water contaminated with human excrement. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 150,000 people in the United States are infected each year by Hepatitis A. Acute Hepatitis A usually resolves itself within 6 months and does not develop into a chronic disease.

How serious is Hepatitis A?

The virus rarely kills, but vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) and diarrhea can debilitate you for weeks or even put you in the hospital.

In early stages of Hepatitis A, you can easily transmit it to others. And complete recovery can take as long as 6 months, during which time you may feel tired and sluggish.

There is no specific treatment for the disease, but some symptoms can be eased by rest and proper nutrition.

Am I at risk?

Hepatitis A is often spread through sexual contact with infected persons, specifically oral/anal contact, or handling a used condom.

International travelers are at increased risk for contracting Hepatitis A.

Any person who comes in contact with an infected person or by consuming contaminated water or food is at high risk for Hepatitis A.

How can I protect myself against Hepatitis A?

The Student Health Center offers  Hepatitis A & B combo vaccination if you have not already begun Hepatitis B vaccination.  The combination vaccination is three injections over a six month period.

IThe Student Health Center does not stock Hepatitis A vaccination. If a student has already began the Hepatitis B series and is interested in receiving Hepatitis A series, the SHC practitioner can write a prescription for the student to purchase Hepatitis A at a local pharmacy and the SHC will administer the vaccination.

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