Hepatitis A & Typhoid Fever

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the Hepatitis A virus. Hepatitis A causes inflammation that affect your liver's ability to function. In most cases of Hepatitis A, the liver heals completely in a few months. In rare cases, fulminant hepatitis (a life threatening condition that causes liver failure) may develop.

Typhoid fever is caused by bacteria called Salmonella Typhi. If Typhoid is not treated, it can kill up to 30% of people who get it. Some people who get Typhoid become carriers, and they can spread the disease to others.

Generally, people get Hepatitis A & Typhoid from contaminated food or water.

How is Hepatitis A & Typhoid Spread?

You can get Hepatitis A & Typhoid if you consume:

• Unhygienic food or drinks


• Uncooked food, seafood or shellfish


• Food or drinks that have been handled by a person who is shedding the Hepatitis A & Typhoid germ
  

You may even get Hepatitis A & Typhoid when you do simple daily activities like brushing your teeth in the morning. Once the germs are eaten or drunk, they multiply and spread into the bloodstream. The body reacts with fever and other signs and symptoms.


What are the symptoms of Hepatitis A & Typhoid?

Hepatitis A Three of every four persons infected with Hepatitis A virus have symptoms. Symptoms of Hepatitis A are as such:

• Fever


• Tiredness


• Loss of appetite


• Nausea


• Abdominal pain


• Dark urine


• Yellowing of the skin and eyes
  

Adults have symptoms more often then children. A person is most infectious about one week before symptoms appear and during the first week after symptoms appear. However, an infected person who has no symptoms can still spread the virus. Hepatitis A disease is sometimes deadly.

Typhoid

Persons with Typhoid usually have a sustained fever as high as 39 to 40 C. They may also feel weak, or have stomach pains, headache or loss of appetite. In some cases, patients have a rash of flat, rose-colored spots.

Typhoid fever's danger does not end when symptoms disappear. Even if your symptoms seem to go away, you may still be carrying the bacteria. If so, the illness could return, or you could pass the disease to other people.


Who is at risk ?

Hepatitis A & Typhoid are common in most parts of the world. Therefore, if you are travelling to the developing countries, you should consider taking precautions. Over the past 10 years, travellers to Asia (especially China, India, Vietnam, Combodia, Thailand), Africa and Latin America have been especially at risk.

People who share a household with someone who has Hepatitis A or Typhoid and military personnels are also exposed to the disease.


How Can You Prevent Hepatitis A & Typhoid?

Three basic actions can protect you from Hepatitis A & Typhoid:

1. Avoid suspicious/unhygienic food and drinks

2. Practise good personal hygiene like washing your hands frequently

3. Get vaccinated against Hepatitis A & Typhoid


Watching what you eat and drink when you travel is as important as being vaccinated. Avoiding risky food will also help to protect you from other illnesses, including traverllers' diarrhoea and cholera.


Who Should Get Hepatitis A & Typhoid Vaccination?

Hepatitis A & Typhoid vaccination are recommended for:

• Travellers and students to parts of the world where Hepatitis A and Typhoid are common


• Food handlers


• People who share a household with someone who has Hepatitis A or Typhoid


• Military personnel
  

Hepatitis A vaccination is also recommended for those with chronic Hepatitis or other chronic liver diseases.