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Hepatitis A

Source: RKI vaccines A–Z. Patient information, not medical advice.

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Pathogen

Hepatitis A virus (HAV).

Transmission

Faecal-oral (contaminated water, unwashed fruit, seafood).

Clinical picture

Jaundice with nausea, fatigue, upper abdominal pain. Course typically 4–6 weeks, rarely fulminant. No chronicity.

Vaccine protection

Inactivated vaccine, 2 doses → lifelong protection. Also as combination HepA/HepB.

Who should be vaccinated?

Travellers to endemic regions (Mediterranean, tropics, subtropics), occupationally exposed (healthcare, food, sewage), patients with chronic liver disease.

Vaccination schedule (STIKO)

1. Dosis
2. Dosis — Abstand 6–12 Monate.

Booster: Nach 2 Dosen lebenslanger Schutz. Indikation: Reise in Endemiegebiete, beruflich exponiert (med./Lebensmittel), chronische Lebererkrankung.

Further information on Hepatitis A: RKI vaccines A–Z.