Dryden
Brown Ltd
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TRAVEL
HEALTH
HEPATITIS
Hepatitis
is inflammation of the liver. When travelling abroad, there
may be increased risk of exposure to the more common causes
of the illness so prevention and self-care are important.
Causes and risk factors:
Hepatitis can be caused by bacterial or viral infections,
infestation with parasites, chemicals (alcohol or drugs),
toxins, or immune diseases. It can be short-term (acute),
long-term (chronic), or life-threatening (fulminant). Hepatitis
can cause permanent liver damage.
Some forms of infectious hepatitis are transmitted through
blood products, some through eating contaminated food, some
through sexual contact and some through unknown means.
Specific types of hepatitis include:
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Symptoms:
|
Jaundice (Yellow skin and eye whites) |
Loss of appetite |
|
Dark urine ('cola' coloured) |
Nausea and vomiting |
|
Loss of appetite |
Low grade fever |
|
Fatigue/tiredness |
Pale or clay coloured stools |
|
General discomfort or feeling ill |
Abnormal taste |
|
Abdominal distention |
Abdominal pain |
|
Generalised itching |
Indigestion |
|
Nosebleeds |
Depression |
What
you can do yourself
PREVENTION
Prevention of hepatitis varies with each type of infection.
Some general precautions to reduce the chance of contracting
hepatitis or other infections include:
1 Avoid contact with blood or blood products whenever
possible.
2 Avoid sexual contact with a person infected with
hepatitis, someone you suspect uses drugs, or a person
with unknown health history. Practice safe sex.
3 Wash hands thoroughly after using toilet facilities
or if there is contact with anyone's blood, faeces, or
body fluids.
4 Hepatitis A and B vaccine is available if you
are travelling to high risk areas (check with your local
Travel Clinic).
Hepatitis A
In this case, there is an inflammation of the liver caused
by the Hepatitis A virus.
The Hepatitis A virus is shed in the stools (faeces) of
an infected person two to three weeks before symptoms
occur and during the first week of the illness. Blood
and secretions may also be infectious. This form of hepatitis
is transmitted by eating or drinking contaminated food
or water. The virus does not remain in the body after
the infection has resolved, and there is no carrier state
(a person who spreads the disease to others but does not
become ill). The symptoms of Hepatitis A are similar to
the flu, but the skin and the eyes may become yellow (jaundiced)
because the liver is not able to filter bilirubin from
the blood. Approximately 1 in 10,000 people suffer from
Hepatitis A.
What you can do
yourself
Prevention by following guidelines on water care is essential
at all times. Transmission of the virus can be reduced
by thorough hand washing after going to the toilet. This
also applies if there is any contact with an affected
person's blood, faeces, or any body fluids.
Rest is recommended during the first stages of the disease
when the symptoms are most severe.
People with acute hepatitis should avoid alcohol and any
substances that are toxic to the liver.
Contact a doctor
If you have some or most of the symptoms listed above
or are getting more unwell.
If you think you may have been at risk.
If you may be at increased risk of becoming more unwell
through already suffering from another major illness.
To order
your copy of a What should I do? booklet
use one of the following methods:
On-line
Shop
Phone: +44 (0) 23 8022
9041
Fax: +44 (0) 23
8022 7274
 
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