Hepatitis A

What is hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a liver condition and is triggered by a virus. The illness starts with a fever, loss of appetite, nausea and sickness. Jaundice follows a few days later. Jaundice is most commonly recognised by a discolouration of the eyes, dark urine and stools which are light in colour. Children are often capable of overcoming the illness without major problems, but adults can experience severe and long-lasting symptoms. However, there is no consequential damage.

There is no treatment for hepatitis A itself, only to relieve the symptoms.

In Austria, the virus is primarily transmitted via faeces. In countries with lower hygiene conditions, it can also be passed on through contaminated food and drinking water, such as ice cubes, seafood (primarily mussels, oysters, shellfish), fruit, salad, vegetables, milk or cold meat. In these cases, the virus is passed onto foods via contaminated water or through infected people who prepare the food without washing their hands thoroughly. It takes about 3 to 6 weeks from the date of infection to the appearance of any signs of the illness. Infected people usually excrete the virus 2 weeks prior to getting ill.

Vaccination advice for children, adults and young people

The Austrian Vaccination Plan recommends the hepatitis A vaccination

• for children over 1 before they visit community facilities
• for people who are exposed to a greater risk through their work or behaviour
• for kitchen staff because it can put others at risk in the event of illness
• for people planning to travel in southern countries, in tropical countries and in countries with poor hygiene conditions

Kinder können ab dem 1. Geburtstag geimpft werden. 
Die Impfung muss selbst bezahlt werden.  

Vaccination schedule

Only hepatitis A:

First vaccination: No earlier than after the first birthday
Second vaccination: 6 months after the first vaccination

Booster vaccinations: Not required in the majority of cases

Booster vaccinations: Not required in the majority of cases

Hepatitis A and hepatitis B:

First vaccination: No earlier than after the first birthday
Second vaccination: 4 weeks after the first vaccination
Third vaccination: 6 – 12 months after the second vaccination

Booster vaccinations: Not required in the majority of cases

Information and consultancy service

Want to find out more about the hepatitis A vaccination? Not sure whether you’ve been vaccinated against hepatitis A?