Prevention of viral hepatitis A

Viral hepatitis A is an acute infectious liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus.

The source of infection is a person with any manifestation of the disease (icteric, anicteric, asymptomatic form). The incubation period is from 7 to 50 days (average - 35). The disease is closely linked to the lack of safe water, inadequate sanitation, and poor personal hygiene.

How to get infected with viral hepatitis A

The virus can enter the body through the following routes:

• with water - infection is possible when drinking contaminated drinking water and swimming in contaminated water;
• with food - as a result of consuming salads, greens, fruits, etc.;
• through close contact with sick people, through contaminated dishes, toys, household items. Close contact with the source can contribute to virus transmission, especially in conditions of extremely low personal hygiene.

Prevention of viral hepatitis A:

- wash your hands thoroughly with soap after returning home from the street, before eating, and after using the toilet;

- do not drink water from random sources and "from the tap", drink only boiled water. Remember that the virus dies at boiling temperature (100 degrees) only after 5 minutes;

- exercise caution when swimming in pools and open water bodies, avoid swallowing water;

- wash vegetables, fruits, and berries thoroughly before consumption. Do not purchase food from random individuals or at unauthorized trading places;

- use separate knives and cutting boards for processing raw foods;

- thoroughly fry or boil food;

- perishable foods and ready-to-eat meals should be stored only in the refrigerator at a temperature of +2 to +6°C.

- Vaccination is one of the important measures for the prevention of viral hepatitis A.

It is easier to prevent and avert the disease than to deal with its consequences.

State Institution "Rassonsky RCGE", 2022, 50 copies.