Avoiding hepatitis A

four weeks, although this is variable. Symptoms and signs initially are not very specific. They include fever, fatigue, anorexia and nausea. These are all, of course, signs of the common flu, but people with hepatitis A may become jaundiced, bile is excreted into the urine and gives it a much darker colour. Diarrhoea may occur.

In children, it may be a selflimiting disease and they may not even need to see a doctor, but in adults over the age of 50 it can be a much more serious condition. As an older adult catching this disease you have a 1-in-50 chance of being admitted to hospital.

The diagnosis is made by looking for specific antibodies in the blood. There are different types of antibodies and they can show whether or not you are immune to hepatitis, either from having had it previously or from being vaccinated in the past.

Fulminant liver failure is rare in hepatitis A but can occur in older individuals or those with chronic conditions which make them vulnerable.

There is a vaccine for hepatitis A and people going overseas or to an area with endemic hepatitis A should have it if they are not already immune to the disease. Revaccination needs to be done in six to 12 months to then give lifelong immunity.

Obviously, vaccination is the most effective form of prevention but good handwashing, sanitation and hygiene are important to prevent spread of the disease.

In Ashburton it will take months to find out the effectiveness of the vaccination programme for children under the age of 5 which is under way.

Chris Kalderimis is a Wellington GP