Hepatitis A Vaccination Service

• Contaminated Food: Eating food that has been handled by an infected person who did not wash their hands properly, or food that has been washed, grown, or rinsed in contaminated water. Common sources include raw salads, unpeeled fruits, berries, and raw or undercooked shellfish (such as oysters and clams) harvested from polluted waters.

• Contaminated Water: Drinking untreated local tap water, using ice cubes made from unsafe water supplies, or consuming beverages mixed with unpurified water while travelling abroad.

• Close Personal Contact: Living with, caring for, or having close household, physical, or sexual contact with someone who currently has active hepatitis A.

• Poor Personal Hygiene: Inadequate handwashing after using the restroom or changing diapers before preparing meals, handling food items, or touching the face and mouth.

Once exposed to the virus, symptoms typically appear after an incubation period of 14 to 28 days (ranging from 15 to 50 days). Common signs include:

• Sudden, overwhelming fatigue, nausea, and frequent vomiting

• Abdominal discomfort or pain, particularly around the upper right side near the liver

• Loss of appetite, general malaise, and low-grade fever

• Dark urine, pale stools, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes)

Note: Young children frequently experience very mild or entirely asymptomatic infections, whereas adults and teenagers are much more likely to suffer from pronounced symptoms and prolonged recovery times.

Because hepatitis A can cause debilitating fatigue and liver inflammation that disrupts travel or daily life for weeks, proactive defense is vital:

1. Hepatitis A Vaccination: Getting the private Hepatitis A Vaccine at Murrayfield Pharmacy provides rapid short-term protection with a single initial dose, followed by a booster 6 to 12 months later for long-term immunity lasting up to 25 years.

2. Strict Food and Water Safety:

   • Drink and use only bottled, boiled, or chemically treated water.

   • Avoid ice cubes in beverages unless you are certain they were made from purified water.

   • Eat food that is freshly prepared, cooked thoroughly, and served piping hot. Peel your own fruit, and avoid raw salads or shellfish.

   • Practice rigorous hand hygiene by washing your hands frequently with soap and clean water before eating.

Hepatitis A is widespread in certain parts of the world where sanitation infrastructure and clean water access are limited. It is frequently found in:

• The Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.

• Sub-Saharan and North Africa.

• The Middle East.

• Central and South America.

• Parts of Eastern Europe.